Mayor Kathy Sheehan - Democratic Mayors

During her tenth State of the City Address, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan celebrated the strides the city led in the past year and laid out her vision for 2023. Her priorities include affordable housing, American Rescue Plan Act investments, parks and recreation, small businesses, workforce development, and infrastructure improvements.

Mayor Sheehan shared housing investments Albany is leading, including creating more homeownership opportunities across the community, investing in homeowners and homelessness prevention efforts, and holding bad landlords accountable. She also shared infrastructure improvements such as filling more than 22,000 potholes, repaving ten-plus miles of streets, and doubling their water infrastructure investments.

The Mayor also highlighted public safety initiatives, such as implementing new police reform efforts, removing 147 illegal guns off the streets, building a new 911 dispatch center, completing the city’s 300th diversion, and launching a new auxiliary police program.

“I hope that as you look at what we have been able to accomplish, you are seeing that we are writing history right now, and we are making history right now. We’re creating a city that is truly an Albany for all, powered by pride and potential,” said Mayor Sheehan.

Watch Mayor Sheehan’s full remarks here.

More State of the City Addresses

Akron, Ohio

Mayor Shammas Malik

During his third State of the City Address, Mayor Shammas Malik outlined a sweeping vision for Akron’s future centered on collaboration, innovation, and community investment. The speech highlighted major new initiatives across housing, public safety, youth opportunity, sustainability, and economic development, all tied together through the city’s “Together for Akron” framework.

Evansville, Indiana

Mayor Stephanie Terry

In her third State of the City Address, Mayor Stephanie Terry reflected on a year defined by steady progress and continued work to build a vibrant, inclusive community where safety, opportunity, and connection help all residents thrive. Speaking under the theme “Building What Matters,” she emphasized that the city’s progress is driven by people—city employees, partners, and residents—who continue to show up and invest in Evansville’s future.

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Mayor Paige Cognetti

Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti delivered her State of the City Address, outlining a six-year turnaround that has taken the city from the brink of financial distress to a position of stability and growth, while continuing investments in public safety, infrastructure, quality of life, and lower costs for residents. Mayor Cognetti also highlighted Scranton’s financial progress, including three credit rating upgrades since exiting financially distressed status in 2022 and achieving its current A- rating with a stable outlook.