Mayor Rex Richardson - Democratic Mayors

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson delivered his first State of the City address highlighting investments made in 2022 and his Opportunity Beach Agenda for the years ahead. His priorities as Mayor are ensuring quality and stable housing for all, building an economy where everyone thrives, creating safe and healthy communities, expanding opportunities for youth, and supporting a sustainable and resilient city.

Mayor Richardson’s top priority is affordable housing and homelessness, and he is urgently moving to address this crisis, including declaring a state of emergency on the issue. The recent declaration will allow the Mayor to more effectively respond to the situation, streamline interagency processes, secure more financial resources, and more.

“We will lead with a focus on equity and build a more just and inclusive city that leaves no one behind,” said Mayor Richardson. “Join me, and let’s make the Opportunity Beach Agenda our reality and begin this voyage with me toward our collective future.”

In his remarks, the Mayor also discussed expanding the city’s space exploration sector, including the relocation of Vast Space to the community, which will bring 700 new jobs.

Watch Mayor Richardson’s 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.