Mayor Meghan F. George - Democratic Mayors

Lakewood Mayor Meghan F. George delivered her State of the City address, reflecting on the community’s resiliency and the significant impact of federal relief funds on the city’s recovery from the pandemic. Mayor George’s top priorities include infrastructure improvements, public safety, small businesses, and affordability.

In her remarks, Mayor George spoke about using federal relief funds to address key municipal challenges such as homelessness prevention, residential rent relief, and small business assistance. She also shared about using ARPA funds to manage infrastructure costs which reduced previously approved rate increases and ultimately put money back into the pockets of residents.

“As I stand before you all today, it has been my honor to share that the state of our city is strong, it is resilient, and we are proud of how we have come through this challenging time,” Mayor George said. “But we know we will always have more work to do to keep Lakewood vital and healthy.

Watch Mayor George’s address here.

More State of the City Addresses

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.

Minneapolis , Minnesota

Mayor Jacob Frey

In his State of the City Address, Mayor Jacob Frey said the city is strong but emphasized that Minneapolis must refocus on the fundamentals of city government and on delivering results. Reflecting on a difficult year marked by disruption and challenges across the community, Mayor Frey said the city demonstrated resilience and resolve while stressing the importance of prioritizing safe streets, stable housing, and a strong local economy.