Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. - Democratic Mayors

In his State of the City Address, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. highlighted the themes of unity and strength as defining characteristics of the city’s past year. He emphasized a commitment to improvement and introduced new core values focusing on equity, people-centered, professionalism, innovation, exceptional service, and accountability.

Public safety remained a top priority, with notable reductions in crime rates and improvements in emergency communications. To further combat crime, Mayor Scott shared initiatives such as the “Eyes on the Rock” program for businesses and nonprofits to work with the city’s Real Time Crime Center. Additionally, he unveiled Neighborhood Pulse, a project that will connect residents with city departments and nonprofit partners to breathe new life into neighborhoods.

Mayor Scott discussed initiatives to support economic growth, including job creation efforts and support for minority businesses. Little Rock continues to invest in youth and education, including literacy and summer youth employment programs.

The Mayor announced efforts to tackle food insecurity with a mobile grocery store and combat homelessness by establishing a homeless village and a holistic housing initiative. He highlighted infrastructure development, including sidewalk equity plans and a solar development project, underscoring the city’s commitment to sustainability and accessibility.

Watch Mayor Scott’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.