Mayor Rex Richardson - Democratic Mayors

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson’s State of the City Address outlined his administration’s comprehensive plan to address housing, public safety, economic development, infrastructure, downtown revitalization, community development, public services, and tourism.

Mayor Richardson introduced the Westside Promise, a long-term commitment to improving the quality of life, economic vitality, and health outcomes in West Long Beach. This initiative encompasses corridor enhancements, park improvements, and dedicated support for Westside small businesses.

Public safety remains a key priority, with efforts underway to address staffing challenges in the fire department and new initiatives to recruit more officers into the police force. The Mayor also acknowledged achievements in reducing gun violence while prioritizing the recruitment of local officers to ensure Long Beach remains a safe and desirable place to live and work.

Economic development was featured, as Long Beach received recognition as the most business-friendly city in LA County. The Mayor also announced the establishment of the Long Beach Public Service Corps, a paid fellowship program for local college students, which marks a commitment to developing the next generation of public servants.

Watch Mayor Richardson’s full remarks 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.