Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird - Democratic Mayors

“City government, when it’s working like ours, frees people from worries about the basics of city living so they can instead focus on pursuing opportunities that improve their lives and their family’s futures,” she said.

Mayor Gaylor Baird outlined accomplishments from her first two years in office, including expanded efforts on affordable housing and workforce development, new environmental initiatives, and success in leading the community towards recovery from the pandemic.

Approximately 73% of Lincoln residents 16 and older have been vaccinated, outpacing the rest of the state. The Mayor highlighted that the health department has undertaken significant efforts to reach out to Lincoln’s minority communities.

Mayor Gaylor Baird encouraged the community to come together as the pandemic continues.

“If you are feeling proud of our community, too, please take the time to spread the love,” she said. “Spread the love by doing something to take care of someone who needs support. Spread the love with a kind gesture, be it big or small. Of course, right now the most impactful gesture that shows you care for others is to get vaccinated.”

Watch Mayor Gaylor Baird’s full address here.

More State of the City Addresses

Las Vegas, Nevada

Mayor Shelley Berkley

Mayor Shelley Berkley delivered her State of the City Address, looking to the future and outlining how Las Vegas will continue to be a leading city that assists those in need, creates new opportunities, and provides safe and beautiful neighborhoods and amenities. She emphasized the city’s continued focus on helping vulnerable residents through expanded services, including the MORE Team pilot program, which connects individuals experiencing homelessness with mental health professionals, health workers, and street medicine, as well as the new Community Court that prioritizes structure, monitoring, and resources over punitive approaches.

Nashville, Tennessee

Mayor Freddie O’Connell

In his State of the Metro Address, Mayor Freddie O’Connell described his vision for a Nashville that is affordable, safe, healthy, welcoming, and prosperous, a city for everyone, and emphasized that progress will be purposeful, even when it is not always loud or linear. He outlined steps his administration will take to make Nashville more affordable, including proposals to cut the grocery tax, expand access to childcare, support small businesses, create jobs, build more housing, and invest in children from birth.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Mayor Indya Kincannon

In her seventh State of the City Address, Mayor Indya Kincannon proposed a lean budget that continues to prioritize public safety, affordable housing, parks, and high-quality people-focused services. She also emphasized the importance of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, noting that her budget proposal covers essential services without raising taxes, even as the city navigates inflation, rising costs, and broader economic uncertainty.