Mayor Kate Gallego - Democratic Mayors

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego gave her State of the City Address, focusing her remarks on the theme of ‘The Future is Phoenix.’ Mayor Gallego’s ongoing priorities include climate action, housing, transportation, innovation, education, public safety, workforce development, and infrastructure.

The Mayor highlighted recent efforts on water solutions, including the recent approval of an advanced water purification facility that will recycle 60 million gallons per day to turn wastewater into drinking water for residents. Mayor Gallego shared other sustainability efforts such as tackling extreme heat and expanding better air quality for her community.

In her address, Mayor Gallego noted the launch of the Route to Relief program with Maricopa Community Colleges, which uses American Rescue Plan dollars to provide residents with free education. The program spans ten community colleges providing support to single parents to help them overcome barriers to education and employment by covering transportation and child care costs.

Mayor Gallego remains focused on ensuring residents have access to affordable housing. She referenced to the city’s Housing Phoenix Plan, which was adopted in 2019 to build or preserve 50,000 housing units by 2030, and shared that the city already has more than 26,000 housing units. The city also launched the Community Land Trust pilot program in partnership with a nonprofit which helps address long-term affordability challenges and combat critical systemic inequities.

Watch Mayor Gallego’s full address here.

More State of the City Addresses

Akron, Ohio

Mayor Shammas Malik

During his third State of the City Address, Mayor Shammas Malik outlined a sweeping vision for Akron’s future centered on collaboration, innovation, and community investment. The speech highlighted major new initiatives across housing, public safety, youth opportunity, sustainability, and economic development, all tied together through the city’s “Together for Akron” framework.

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.