2024 State of the City Addresses

• Mayor Todd Gloria - San Diego, CA

• Mayor Sharon Weston Broome - Baton Rouge, LA

• Mayor Rex Richardson - Long Beach, CA

• Mayor Michelle Wu - Boston, MA

• Mayor Daniella Levine Cava - Miami Dade County, FL

• Mayor Keith James - West Palm Beach, FL

• Mayor Eric Adams - New York City, NY

• Mayor Levar Stoney - Richmond, VA

• Mayor Kathy Sheehan - Albany, NY

• Mayor Erin Mendenhall - Salt Lake City, UT

• Mayor Ken Welch - St. Petersburg, FL

• Mayor Craig Greenberg - Louisville, KY

• Mayor Steven L. Reed - Montgomery, AL

• Mayor Randall Woodfin - Birmingham, AL

• Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. - Little Rock, AR

• Mayor Harvey Ward - Gainesville, FL

• Mayor Jeffrey Mims - Dayton, OH

• Mayor Justin Elicker - New Haven, CT

• Mayor Jared Nicholson - Lynn, MA

• Mayor Bruce Harrell - Seattle, WA

• Mayor Tom Henry - Fort Wayne, IN

• Mayor Ruthanne Fuller - Newton, MA

• Mayor Cavalier Johnson - Milwaukee, WI

• Mayor Andy Schor - Lansing, MI

• Mayor London Breed - San Francisco, CA

• Mayor Melvin Carter - Saint Paul, MN

• Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz - Toledo, OH

• Mayor Ras J. Baraka - Newark, NJ

• Mayor Farrah N. Khan - Irvine, CA

• Mayor Sharetta Smith - Lima, OH

• Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla - Hoboken, NJ

• Mayor Cassie Franklin - Everett, WA

• Mayor Justin M. Bibb - Cleveland, OH

• Mayor Brandon M. Scott - Baltimore, MD

• Mayor Andre Dickens - Atlanta, GA

• Mayor Arunan Arulampalam - Hartford, CT

• Mayor Phillip Jones - Newport News, VA

• Mayor Ron Nirenberg - San Antonio, TX

• Mayor Karen Bass - Los Angeles, CA

• Mayor Leonardo Williams - Durham, NC

• Mayor Shammas Malik - Akron, OH

• Mayor Malik Evans - Rochester, NY

• Mayor Mike Duggan - Detroit, MI

• Mayor Ted Green - East Orange, NJ

• Mayor Kate Gallego - Phoenix, AZ

• Mayor Indya Kincannon - Knoxville, TN

• Mayor Lauren McLean - Boise, ID

• Mayor Jacob Frey - Minneapolis, MN

• Mayor Tishaura O. Jones - St. Louis, MO

• Mayor Freddie O’Connell - Nashville, TN

• Mayor Andrew Ginther - Columbus, OH

• Mayor Matt Mahan - San Jose, CA

• Mayor Mike Johnston - Denver, CO

• Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. - Little Rock, AR

• Mayor Tim Keller - Albuquerque, NM

• Mayor Darrell Steinberg - Sacramento, CA 

• Mayor John Whitmire - Houston, TX

• Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird - Lincoln, NE

• Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba - Jackson, MS

• Mayor Dean Trantalis - Fort Lauderdale, FL

• Mayor Ed Gainey - Pittsburgh, PA

• Mayor Van Johnson - Savannah, GA

• Mayor Aftab Pureval - Cincinnati, OH

Mayor Todd Gloria
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria delivered his State of the City Address detailing his administration’s progress on public safety, homelessness, housing affordability, infrastructure, sustainability, economic development, and equity.

In giving an update on public safety efforts, Mayor Gloria highlighted that in 2023, the city’s most serious crimes fell again. He also shared the city opened a first-of-its-kind childcare facility for police officers to ease the parenting burden created by the nontraditional hours officers work.

Mayor Gloria noted his administration took substantial action to address homelessness, including the continued expansion of traditional shelter capacity and San Diego’s successful Safe Parking program. He announced the city is launching a philanthropic campaign to help carry out plans to address homelessness and already has commitments totaling $250,000.

The Mayor shared that San Diego made a record $140 million investment to repair city streets through strategic investments focused on improving the city's high-volume roadways. Mayor Gloria's administration also passed the Economic Development Strategy, which lays the foundation for sustained economic stability for San Diego, helping position the region as a global leader in innovation, sustainability, and equity-centered change.

Watch Mayor Gloria’s full remarks here.

Mayor Sharon Weston Broome
Baton Rouge, LA

Mayor Sharon Weston Broome outlined a bold vision for Baton Rouge during her State of the City Address, emphasizing a commitment to safety, quality of life, equitable business opportunities, sustainability, infrastructure, and opportunities for all residents to thrive.

Mayor Broome highlighted efforts to expand community-based and law enforcement strategies across the region and continue the 34% reduction in gun violence that occurred in the last two years. She praised initiatives such as SafeBR and Safe Hopeful Healthy BR that aided the community and stressed the importance of supporting innovations and best practices in law enforcement. 

The Mayor shared that significant progress has been made in reducing blight and cleaning the community, including the demolition of 140 structures and the removal of tons of junk. Mayor Broome plans to focus on areas under interstate corridors and address homelessness more robustly. 

The Mayor reaffirmed Baton Rouge’s commitment to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, highlighting collaborations with local universities and efforts to increase participation in city programs. She also shared updates regarding the MOVEBR program, which is set to advance, with significant infrastructure projects planned. 

Watch Mayor Broome’s full remarks here. 

Mayor Rex Richardson
Long Beach, CA

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.

Mayor Michelle Wu
Boston, MA

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu delivered her State of the City Address, providing an overview of the community’s accomplishments and future plans. The Mayor’s priorities include housing affordability, education, youth development, green spaces, climate action, and public safety.

Mayor Wu emphasized the importance of housing as a foundational element of the city’s progress. She outlined achievements in affordable housing, such as permitting the highest ratio of affordable housing in over a decade and approving nearly 7,400 housing units for future development. 

Another central component of her remarks was the significance of education, highlighting the strides the public school system has made, including improving infrastructure, renovating schools, and enhancing learning environments. The Mayor also shared initiatives to provide universal pre-K, support for early educators, and job opportunities for students.

Mayor Wu reiterated her commitment to environmental sustainability, emphasizing the ban on fossil fuels in new city buildings, zero net carbon zoning plans, and launching Boston’s first networked geothermal system. She also acknowledged the progress made in reducing gun violence to record lows with investments in trauma support, community-driven safety plans, and collaboration with law enforcement. 

Watch Mayor Wu’s full remarks here.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava 
Miami Dade County, FL

 
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava delivered her State of the County Address, highlighting the accomplishments achieved during her first three years in office, her vision for equitable economic growth, public safety progress, and how the city is in investing in 2024 in infrastructure and its people.

In her remarks, Mayor Levine Cava highlighted historic investments, including affordable housing; relief programs for renters, seniors, and homeowners; and successful investments in stormwater management projects that have reduced flooding risks. The Mayor also noted the county reduced gun violence, made historic investments in crime prevention, and made groundbreaking advancements in septic to sewer conversions.

The Mayor announced the 305 FUTURE READY bond package, a  historic initiative that would invest in housing, septic to sewer conversions, flood prevention, and more resilient parks. This bond will be a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, preparing Miami-Dade County for a thriving future.

Watch Mayor Levine Cava’s full remarks here.

Mayor Keith James
West Palm Beach, FL

  
West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James gave his fifth State of the City Address, underscoring the community’s accomplishments throughout his tenure, including unprecedented growth, local and federal investments, economic development, public safety achievements, and mobility initiatives. 

Mayor James shared that recent community investments reflect a commitment to improving the quality of life for residents, with a focus on large-scale special events, housing services, public health, safety, and park enhancements. He also spoke about the Federal RAISE grant, which will significantly invest in roadway repairs, mobility, and transportation projects, including a $8.1 million federal grant for infrastructure improvements in underserved neighborhoods.

The Mayor highlighted public safety achievements, including a 20-year low in violent crime rates, with notable reductions in homicides and sexual assaults. Additionally, he shared community support program successes in public art initiatives, homelessness advocacy and response, the implementation of WPBKey, and the Mayor’s Jumpstart Academy to foster entrepreneurship in communities of color.

Watch Mayor James’ full remarks here.

Mayor Eric Adams
New York City, NY
 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams outlined a future-focused vision for working-class New Yorkers in his third State of the City address, sharing his priority areas, including making the country’s safest big city even safer, building a forward-looking economy that works for working-class New Yorkers, and making the city more livable for all New Yorkers.

Under Mayor Adam’s leadership, overall crime is down in New York City. Crime has fallen as a result of strong support from law enforcement as well as proactive strategies deployed by the administration, including plans to crack down on auto thefts, combat retail thefts, and launch a $500 million blueprint to keep communities safe from gun violence.

Further, Mayor Adams committed to accelerating the city’s job growth to reach 5 million total jobs by 2025. The administration will accomplish this goal by building future-focused industries from the ground up, creating accessible career pathways. Additionally, the city will release “Women Forward NYC­­,” an approximately $40 million action plan to make New York City a better place for women to live, work, and thrive. 

Watch Mayor Adams’ full remarks here
 

Mayor Levar Stoney
Richmond, VA

In his last State of the City Address, Mayor Levar Stoney reflected on the city’s transformation and all of Richmond’s accomplishments over the past seven years while emphasizing the community’s bright future. 

Under Mayor Stoney’s leadership, the city established a strategic vision to create new affordable housing and address the housing crisis head-on. Richmond created its first-ever Equitable Housing Plan, built 4,000 new affordable housing units, diverted 1,400 evictions, and invested $100 million with Local Initiatives Support Corporation over the next five years toward affordable housing needs in the city. 

Mayor Stoney prioritized investing in Richmond’s children and families, expanding out-of-school programming for elementary and middle school students, establishing the first-ever guaranteed income pilot program in Virginia, and creating the Children’s Fund, We Matter RVA and the Pathways Program.

Since 2017, Richmond has seen an overall decrease in violent crime by 22%. The city also established the first-ever comprehensive Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Framework, Richmond’s first Real Time Crime Center, and a formal Office of Emergency Management. 

During the Mayor’s tenure, the city announced more than $3.8 billion in capital investment and more than 6,500 jobs from economic development projects. Moreover, Richmond’s population has increased by 11% between 2010 and 2020, demonstrating that people are choosing Richmond.

Watch Mayor Stoney’s full address here.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan
Albany, NY

 
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan held her 11th State of the City Address, centering her remarks on the theme, People, Projects, Results, encapsulating many of the important improvements her administration is making in every neighborhood across the city. 

The Mayor's remarks highlighted the transformational investments occurring because of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act. These improvements include Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build 100 new affordable homes in Albany’s most historically underserved neighborhoods, renovating the significantly outdated Albany South Recreation Center, and helping the city launch the Join Albany recruitment campaign to reduce vacancies in public service positions.

Mayor Sheehan shared how expanded public safety investments, including a new Crime Analysis Center, helped reduce crime. Over the last year, Albany has seen a 26% reduction in confirmed shots fired, 27% reduction in shooting incidents, 26% reduction in shooting victims, 20% reduction in burglaries, 80% reduction in vehicular homicides, 34% reduction in motor vehicle thefts, and 138 illegal guns recovered.

Mayor Sheehan also unveiled a first-of-its-kind street treatment partnership with Albany County - a program designed to bring health professionals to the corridors experiencing elevated instances of individuals in crisis.

The Mayor emphasized how the future is bright for Albany. The city is slated to be home to a brand-new New York State laboratory, a new railroad bridge to replace a 100+-year-old span that connects the northeast corridor to Chicago and points west, and a key manufacturing hub for offshore wind turbines. 

Watch Mayor’s Sheehan’s full address here.

Mayor Erin Mendenhall
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall delivered her fifth State of the City address, highlighting the city’s progress and unveiling transformational opportunities to support residents and future generations of Salt Lakers.

“In Salt Lake City, we approach our greatest challenges and boundless opportunities with partnership and ambition at the center of everything we do,” Mayor Mendenhall said. “The decisions we make today will have vast ripple effects on our future. We are setting the stage for not just tomorrow, but for the next 10 years, 20 years, and even 50 years.” 

Mayor Mendenhall outlined her administration’s vision to create more green space and community amenities in Salt Lake City, including the creation of a pedestrian promenade on Main Street and the Green Loop, which will transform 5.5 miles of downtown streets into a linear park network for residents and visitors. These priorities will support the community, economy, and environment for decades.

The Mayor reaffirmed her commitment to keeping the Utah Jazz in Downtown Salt Lake City, cementing the city’s identity as the State’s hub for sports, entertainment, and culture. 

The administration will continue to prioritize initiatives that generate activation, increase connectivity, and support the highest quality of life for everyone. Sustained investment in affordable housing, multi-family projects, and new initiatives supporting families living in Salt Lake City were among additional priorities, including $38 million in funding to generate more affordable development in 2024 and creating a loan program to incentivize more childcare in the city.

Watch Mayor Mendenhall’s full address here. 

Mayor Ken Welch
St. Petersburg, FL

In his State of the City Address, Mayor Ken Welch expressed optimism about the city’s future, acknowledging the challenges while emphasizing the collaborative efforts of the community in making St. Petersburg a resilient, vibrant, and sustainable place for all residents. 

The city focuses on impactful programs to connect youth with opportunities and develop a well-prepared workforce. Mayor Welch announced the Mayor’s Future Ready Academy, an 18-week job training program providing full-time pay and benefits. The Mayor is also refining the city’s “Not My Child” and Cohort of Champions programs, focusing on educational and community support and anti-violence efforts.

Mayor Welch is dedicated to driving inclusive economic development that enhances the quality of life for all. A key initiative includes the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area Microfund Program, offering capacity building, education, mentoring, networking, and funding for business improvements. Additionally, the city is working on a Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program, which will address the documented underutilization of minority and women-owned businesses by removing barriers and actively working to expand their business opportunities.

St. Petersburg is also committed to creating safer and healthier neighborhoods throughout the city, including supporting healthy food access, health care, supportive services, recreation, and crime reduction. Mayor Welch highlighted the Community Support Hubs, an initiative supported by ARPA funds that provide trauma-informed therapy, case management, and outreach tailored to community needs. 

Watch Mayor Welch’s full address here.

Mayor Craig Greenberg
Louisville, KY

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg gave his State of the City Address, confirming that the city is becoming a safer, stronger, and healthier community for all who call it home. 

Mayor Greenberg remains focused on public safety, highlighting a decrease in homicides, non-fatal shootings, and carjackings in 2023. To continue combatting violent crime, he shared multi-level efforts that are making a difference, including the Summit Wellness Center, the Crisis Call Diversion Program, and the Group Violence Intervention Program. 

The Mayor shared his work with community partners to create My Louisville Home Plan, a first-of-its-kind strategy to create and preserve 15,000 affordable homes. Additionally, his administration is working to make the Affordable Housing Trust Fund a permanent revolving loan fund, collaborating with state and local leaders on state laws and zoning ordinances and continuing progress at the Community Care Campus.

Early education is also a priority for Mayor Greenberg, and his administration is collaborating with experts to deliver free, high-quality pre-kindergarten to every 3- and 4-year-old in Louisville. 

The Mayor celebrated a strong economy, with more than $1 billion in investment and 2,300 new jobs announced last year. His administration has also elevated the Offices of Equity and Sustainability to ensure Louisville’s 100% clean electricity goal by 2030.

Watch Mayor Greenberg’s full address here.

Mayor Steven L. Reed
Montgomery, AL

MontgomeryMayor Steven L. Reed delivered his State of the City Address, outlining a comprehensive vision for the city’s future, emphasizing key priorities and initiatives across different sectors. 

Mayor Reed underscored the city’s financial stability and strong credit rating, positioning Montgomery on a solid footing for future growth and development. Economic development was also a focus, emphasizing attracting businesses, upgrading infrastructure, and securing funding for blight reduction projects. 

The Mayor shared public safety efforts and commended the accomplishments of Montgomery Fire and Rescue, particularly their ISO 1 rating—the first in Alabama. He stressed the importance of continued investment in public safety, acknowledging its pivotal role in the city’s well-being.

Montgomery aims to position itself as a tech and innovation leader and the Mayor has outlined plans to expand digital equity across the region through upgraded internet infrastructure. Education and social services were also discussed, with the Mayor urging support for public schools and announcing initiatives to address homelessness.

Mayor Reed highlighted small business support initiatives, such as the Access Montgomery program and the upcoming low-interest revolving small business loan fund, demonstrating the city’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Watch Mayor Reed’s full address here. 

Mayor Randall Woodfin
Birmingham, AL

 
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin gave his State of the City Address, reflecting on the city’s legacy of overcoming challenges and its role as a beacon of hope and change, echoing the spirit of the civil rights movement. He reaffirmed Birmingham’s commitment to progress, resilience, and positive change, emphasizing the city’s readiness to continue setting the standard for years to come.

Mayor Woodfin highlighted efforts to build a foundation for growth, including initiatives such as Prosper, the Birmingham Promise, and $100 million in funding for building a stronger Birmingham. He also emphasized the necessity to overcome fragmentation in economic development efforts and proposed exploring new strategies while building upon existing strengths. 

Mayor Woodfin outlined several initiatives to foster literacy and educational attainment from early childhood to high school. Programs such as the Birmingham Talks focus on early literacy development, while Page Pals provides tutoring for third-grade students to improve literacy outcomes. 

The Mayor addressed public safety efforts, acknowledging the city’s progress in reducing homicides in 2023 and taking nearly 17,000 illegal guns off the street during his administration. He highlighted investments in gun violence prevention, re-entry programs, mental health services, and conflict resolution initiatives aimed at supporting youth and reducing crime. 

Watch Mayor Woodfin’s full address here.

Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.
Little Rock, AR
 

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.

Mayor Harvey Ward
Gainesville, FL

Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward delivered his State of the City Address, emphasizing the city’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and community well-being. From healthcare and transportation initiatives to addressing gun violence and celebrating artistic achievements, the city strives for progress and inclusivity.

Mayor Ward highlighted several key initiatives, including the Eastside Health and Economic Development Initiative (EHEDI), a collaborative effort involving UF Health, the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, and the Biden Administration. This initiative aims to revitalize abandoned land by constructing a state-of-the-art health clinic and Regional Transit System hub.

He also recognized the community's arts and culture sector, awarding the first Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts to local residents and celebrated authors Cynthia Barnett, Jack Davis, Lauren Groff, and Joe Haldeman, and lauded Gainesville as “Florida’s Cultural Capital.”

The Mayor discussed the creation of a Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Program Manager position, utilizing funds and best practices provided by the Biden Administration. This person will coordinate data collection, research application, and risk factor analysis across various agencies and departments to enhance community safety and reduce instances of violence.

Mayor Ward addressed the issue of traffic violence in the community after declaring a crisis in 2023 and implementing solutions to mitigate its impact. Through proactive measures and infrastructure improvements, Gainesville saw a 22% decline in serious pedestrian and cyclist injuries and a 10% decline in pedestrian/cyclist deaths. 

Watch Mayor Ward’s full address here.

Mayor Jeffrey Mims
Dayton, OH

 
In his State of the City Address, Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims highlighted the progress made in Dayton's economic revitalization, the challenges faced in public safety, and the importance of community support in sustaining the city's growth and development.

Mayor Mims highlighted the city's economic efforts, emphasizing the ongoing battle against poverty and the strides made in the past decade, mainly through innovative programs like the income tax credit initiative for low-income residents. He detailed the city's investments in demolishing blighted properties and promoting affordable housing, pointing out specific projects to address the long-standing housing crisis in Dayton.

The Mayor discussed efforts to recruit and retain qualified officers while implementing technology and training programs to enhance law enforcement capabilities and community relations. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between police and citizens in addressing issues like gun violence and promoting mutual respect and understanding.

As a former educator, Mayor Mims expressed his commitment to supporting the city's youth, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities and resources to succeed. He highlighted initiatives such as the youth summit and voter registration drives to empower young people and foster civic engagement.

Watch Mayor Mims’ full address here.

Mayor Justin Elicker
New Haven, CT

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker delivered his State of the City Address, expressing optimism about the city’s future as a growing and vibrant community and the important work ahead to uplift more residents so they can thrive. The Mayor’s priorities include housing, jobs, education, safety, transportation, and sustainability.

Housing was a central component of the Mayor’s remarks, as he shared a commitment to building more affordable units while ensuring the quality and affordability of existing housing stock. New Haven has seen significant population growth, and efforts are underway to make housing accessible to all income levels, including through initiatives such as Accessory Dwelling Units legislation and theI’m Homeprogram for first-time homebuyers.

Mayor Elicker highlighted the city’s economic growth and diversification, particularly in emerging sectors such as bio, neuro, life sciences, and climate technology. He discussed efforts to connect residents to these opportunities through education and training programs, partnerships with local colleges and high schools, and support for entrepreneurs. 

The Mayor outlined strategies to reduce gun violence through law enforcement, community outreach, and support services for at-risk individuals. Initiatives such as the Real Time Crime Center and the P.R.E.S.S. program have decreased violent crime rates, while the Elm City C.O.M.P.A.S.S. crisis response team has provided support for mental health, substance use, and homelessness issues.

Watch Mayor Elicker’s full address here.

Mayor Jared Nicholson 
Lynn, MA

In his State of the City Address, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson highlighted how the state of the city is resolved and making steady progress through collaboration with the community. Mayor Nicholson’s priorities include public safety, jobs, housing, infrastructure, and education.  

Mayor Nicholson acknowledged the pressing issue of community violence, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including law enforcement, educators, healthcare providers, parents, and community leaders. He shared how the city has taken proactive steps, such as hosting community conversations, mentorship events, and door-to-door visits to strengthen connections and address the root causes of violence. The police force has also expanded recruits, focusing on diversity and increasing gang suppression and youth intervention efforts. 

The Mayor highlighted housing initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is seeded by ARPA funds and other partnerships to preserve affordable units and prevent evictions. Lynn is also tackling food insecurity through programs such as the Phoenix Food Hub, providing essential services and support to residents in need. 

Mayor Nicholson emphasized the importance of holistic support for students, announcing the construction of a new middle school and the expansion of pre-K programs aiming to provide better learning environments and opportunities for Lynn’s youth. He discussed additional efforts to attract and retain high-quality teachers and promote innovative teaching strategies that demonstrate a commitment to improving educational outcomes. 

Watch Mayor Nicholson’s full address here.
 

Mayor Bruce Harrell
Seattle, WA

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell delivered his State of the City Address outlining his One Seattle vision for the year ahead and detailing his administration's actions to drive progress on the community's most pressing challenges and to create a safe, equitable, and thriving future.

Public safety remains a top priority for the Mayor, with efforts underway to hire more police officers and enhance public health solutions to combat the fentanyl crisis. Mayor Harrell emphasized investment in treatment facilities and the forthcoming announcement of a post-overdose recovery center to provide vital services to those affected by non-fatal overdoses.

Seattle continues to tackle homelessness in partnership with the Unified Care Team, which assists those in need and creates safe public spaces. Significant progress has been made in reducing tent encampments and addressing related issues such as gun violence and fires. Additionally, the Mayor outlined plans to address the housing crisis by advancing a comprehensive housing strategy and expediting the construction of affordable housing units.

Mayor Harrell intends to unveil plans for a transportation levy renewal package to address current infrastructure needs. Furthermore, downtown revitalization efforts are underway, with initiatives such as the Seattle Restored program supporting small businesses and artists to foster economic recovery.

Watch Mayor Harrell’s full address here.

Mayor Tom Henry
Fort Wayne, IN
 

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry gave his 17th State of the City Address, centering his remarks on the theme of “Fort Wayne – Leading the Way.” The Mayor’s priorities include public works, neighborhood investments, parks, public safety, downtown revitalization, job growth, and private investment. 

Mayor Henry shared the city plans to invest nearly $50 million in neighborhood infrastructure enhancements in 2024. The upgrades will include improvements to streets, roads, sidewalks, alleys, curbs, bridges, and trails. Since 2014, approximately $300 million of work has occurred in neighborhoods throughout Fort Wayne.

The Mayor discussed that there will be $3 million in capital improvements made in parks across Fort Wayne this year. The nearly $24 million phase one of the Franke Park Renaissance will continue with a new entrance off Goshen Avenue and a year-round enclosed pavilion. He noted there will be continued work on the Foster Park Golf Course master plan, new playground equipment at multiple parks, more street trees, and redevelopment efforts at Breward and Packard parks. 

Mayor Henry highlighted that the Fort Wayne Police Department had a clearance rate of over 90% on homicides in 2023. He also shared the department will expand drones as first responders, explore launching a traffic unit, and conduct a real-time crime center implementation study.

Read Mayor Henry’s full remarks here.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller 
Newton, MA

In her State of the City Address, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller acknowledged how the city is overcoming its challenges with resolve and determination, guided by a commitment to education, governance, and infrastructure. 

Mayor Fuller emphasized the centrality of education in the community, praising the efforts of Superintendent Nolin and the dedication of teachers and parents. She pledged continued investment in education, ensuring Newton's public schools remain a beacon of excellence for future generations.

In terms of governance, Mayor Fuller underscored the importance of aligning values with actions, particularly in housing, sustainability, and social services. She applauded recent zoning changes to promote mixed-use development and pledged to prioritize sustainability initiatives like electrification and tree preservation. Additionally, she highlighted efforts to support vulnerable populations through programs like Newton Thrive and enhanced mental health services.

Regarding infrastructure, Mayor Fuller outlined ongoing projects to improve roads, schools, parks, and municipal buildings. She acknowledged the significant progress made in recent years, particularly in school construction and road maintenance. The Mayor assured residents that efforts to enhance infrastructure will continue, with a focus on safety and sustainability.

Watch Mayor Fuller’s full address here.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson delivered his State of the City Address, highlighting the theme ofGrowing Milwaukee, focusing on attracting new jobs, residents, and investments to the city while enhancing its vibrancy and livability. 

One of the Mayor's top priorities is increasing the city's population to one million residents. To achieve this, his administration is focusing on initiatives to reduce barriers to housing development, create walkable neighborhoods, and provide various housing options.

Public safety is another significant focus for the Mayor, with continued efforts underway to reduce crime and improve community relations with law enforcement. He highlighted positive trends in crime reduction, initiatives to address reckless driving, and efforts to enhance emergency response services.

The city is also addressing environmental sustainability with initiatives to reduce energy consumption and promote alternative transportation options. Mayor Johnson highlighted the Bright Line streetlighting project and efforts to expand bike lanes.

The Mayor discussed how investments in affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization are critical to the city's growth strategy. He shared programs such as Homes MKE, which aims to convert city-owned properties into affordable residences, and the Raze and Revive program to eliminate blighted properties.

Watch Mayor Johnson’s full remarks here.

Mayor Andy Schor
Lansing, MI 

In his State of the City Address, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor emphasized the city’s resilience and growth while highlighting its efforts in housing, public safety, development, and helping people. 

The Mayor’s top priority is ensuring a safe community, emphasizing the community’s law enforcement efforts. He noted a decrease in overall crime rates and shared initiatives such as Lansing’s violent crime initiative, which has successfully removed illegal weapons from the streets. Mayor Schor additionally highlighted non-police initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence, such as the Advance Peace initiative, which focuses on breaking the cycle of retaliatory violence through community engagement and support programs.

Mayor Schor attributes much of the city’s progress to federal investments delivered by President Biden’s Administration, mainly through initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act. These investments have provided critical funding for infrastructure projects, job creation, and community development throughout Lansing.

The Mayor discussed the Lansing Equitable Economic Development Initiative and the Empower Program, which supports economic growth while empowering entrepreneurs from BIPOC communities. These programs ensure that economic opportunities are accessible to all residents, fostering inclusive growth and prosperity.

Watch Mayor Schor’s full address here.
 

Mayor London Breed
San Francisco, CA

Mayor London N. Breed delivered her State of the City Address, where she set forth her vision for San Francisco to be a safer and more welcoming city, a center of excellence and opportunity, and a city that drives the economy and future of the Bay Area and California. 

She presented San Francisco’s critical moment of much-needed change to bring opportunity, underscoring the importance of bold leadership and a committed City workforce working with the community and business partners to find solutions to deliver a better San Francisco for all. Mayor Breed pointed to recent progress in reducing crime, bringing people indoors and off City streets, improving neighborhood vibrancy, and a growing economy as reasons for residents to take pride and believe in what San Francisco can accomplish and its future.  

Since 2018, the City has worked under the Mayor’s direction to help more than 15,000 unhoused individuals exit homelessness. In the last year alone, the City has helped more than 1,500 people to shelter from encampments, and the number of tents on City streets is down 37% in the last six months, which is at the lowest level since before 2018. 

The Mayor spoke of her vision for a 24/7 Downtown offering vibrant, mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods, including transit, restaurants and bars, and nightlife venues. Key to that is continuing to support innovative industries that will continue to drive the economy, such as Artificial Intelligence, which is projected to add 12 million square feet of office space in San Francisco by 2030. 

Watch Mayor Breed’s full address here.
 

Mayor Melvin Carter
Saint Paul, MN

In his State of the City Address, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter highlighted the city's progress and future plans, emphasizing the need for collaboration, resilience, and inclusivity. Mayor Carter outlined several priorities for Saint Paul's future: public safety, economic development, housing, environmental sustainability, and workforce development. 

Mayor Carter praised the effectiveness of the city's Community-First Public Safety Framework, which aims to balance emergency response with targeted interventions to prevent crime. He highlighted the success of initiatives such as Project PEACE, which has decreased firearm incidents, and acknowledged state support for public safety efforts.

The Mayor also discussed the city's commitment to financial empowerment and social equity. He highlighted programs such as CollegeBound Saint Paul and guaranteed income pilots, which aim to support residents' economic well-being and reduce poverty. Additionally, Mayor Carter outlined initiatives to expand employment opportunities for residents, including partnerships with local nonprofits and businesses to provide job training and support. 

Mayor Carter shared plans for investments in parks, public spaces, and sustainable energy initiatives, such as geothermal heating and cooling systems. He also discussed efforts to address climate change through measures such as organized waste hauling and snow management strategies.

Watch Mayor Carter’s full remarks here.

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz 
Toledo, OH

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, in his State of the City Address, called on residents to embrace a forward-looking perspective, recognizing the city's achievements while acknowledging its ongoing challenges and opportunities for growth.

The Mayor underscored Toledo's potential for growth and prosperity while discussing economic development opportunities. He highlighted accolades such as being ranked as the hottest housing market in the nation and one of the best places to live on a $100,000 salary, showcasing the city's appeal to residents and businesses. Mayor Kapszukiewicz emphasized the importance of attracting more investment and development to Toledo to stimulate further economic growth.

Mayor Kapszukiewicz acknowledged concerns about crime but emphasized that statistics showed a decline in crime rates in Toledo. He attributed this improvement to a combination of factors, including increased police presence, community policing initiatives, and investment in youth programming. 

In discussing the Jefferson Center's renovation project, Mayor Kapszukiewicz noted its challenges and opportunities. He urged the audience to view the project as a symbol of resilience and renewal, reflecting the city's ability to overcome setbacks and pursue positive change.

Watch Mayor Kapszukiewicz’s full remarks here.
 

Mayor Ras J. Baraka
Newark, NJ

NewarkMayor Ras J. Baraka delivered his State of the City Address, reflecting on his administration’s achievements over the past decade and his vision for the future. The Mayor outlined accomplishments in public safety, homelessness, transportation, economic development, housing, recreation, senior services, health, and technology.

The city has seen significant improvements in crime reduction in 2023, with the Mayor highlighting a decrease in burglaries, auto theft, and non-fatal shootings. This progress is attributed to increased law enforcement and more funding allocated for community partners offering therapeutic and crisis intervention services. Newark has also ramped up its community engagement efforts, tripling the number of events to foster public safety awareness. 

Mayor Baraka celebrated reducing Newark’s residents without addresses by 57.6% and moving 21% of the Hope Village shelter residents to permanent housing. He also highlighted the acquisition of a $2.9 million grant to provide crisis services for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. Additionally, the Mayor unveiled plans for a first-of-its-kind texting service, allowing the public to alert a street outreach team about those needing shelter or assistance. 

The Mayor discussed economic development initiatives spearheaded by the Invest Network, which included training sessions for 500 entrepreneurs, with 25 graduates from programs such as the Executive Business Accelerator and Small Business Stronger, who collectively employed over 100 full-time employees and numerous part-time employees and contractors. The Summer Youth Employment Program engaged over 100 interns, securing over $2.7 million in funds, while the Mayor’s Raise Your Voice Academy equipped 80 youth with leadership skills and social justice awareness.

Watch Mayor Baraka’s full remarks here.

Mayor Farrah N. Khan
Irvine, CA

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan delivered her final State of the City Address, reflecting on the city’s achievements in 2023, her vision for 2024, and her legacy in the community. Mayor Khan reiterated her commitment to economic development, innovation, and health and wellness.

Her steadfast approach to sustainability was showcased through the city’s Climate Action and Adaption Plan, the closure of All American Asphalt, and the subsequent development of Gateway Preserve. She praised the city’s numerous capital improvement projects and their role in economic growth and enhancement of public spaces, such as the Great Park. The nearly billion-dollar investment will skyrocket Irvine’s place on the map as one of the best municipal parks in the world.

Mayor Khan spoke to her legacy, creating the Irvine Accelerator, an innovative public-private partnership between the city and Sunstone Management. The accelerator will help put Irvine on the map as a premier location for individuals seeking to find and establish high-tech and future-focused business ventures. It will take its foundation later this year. 

She also highlighted her initiation and support of establishing Innov8, the first innovation hub led by women for women. Innov8 will be established later this year, housed at Karma Automotive, and run by CerraCap Ventures’ nonprofit arm, CerraCares. These significant milestones are critical to strengthening economic development in Irvine, facilitated through her establishment of an Innovation Council in 2021. Together with many other initiatives, they provide a roadmap to delivering a bright and prosperous path for future generations. 

Watch Mayor Khan’s full address here.

Mayor Sharetta Smith
Lima, OH

In her State of the City Address, Mayor Sharetta Smith outlined her administration's commitment to enhancing Lima's infrastructure, fostering economic growth, promoting safe neighborhoods, investing in youth programs, and addressing housing needs.

Mayor Smith announced initiatives to support small businesses, including the expansion of contracts through the Lima Mowing Program and investments in critical water and wastewater infrastructure. The city launched the Arctaris-Lima Opportunity Zone Fund,  a $25M commitment to invest capital in growing companies and community infrastructure projects located in Lima’s
Opportunity Zones.

Through effective negotiation, the city secured favorable contracts for police and firefighters, contributing to improved public safety. Significant strides were made in crime reduction, with decreases in both violent crime and overall crime rates. Investments in street lighting further enhanced neighborhood safety and security.

Mayor Smith highlighted efforts to streamline housing assistance programs, which resulted in a significant increase in applications and allocations. The Mayor also discussed investments in homeownership initiatives and partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to address housing challenges. 

Watch Mayor Smith’s full address here.

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla
Hoboken, NJ

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla delivered his State of the City Address at the Mile Square Theatre, focusing on housing and environmental justice, Hoboken’s ongoing resiliency efforts, and renewed efforts to allow seniors to age in place.

Mayor Bhalla emphasized the importance of housing as a human right and unveiled a major redevelopment plan for the Hoboken Housing Authority (HHA). The plan aims to rehabilitate or replace all existing housing units within the HHA campus, providing quality, renovated homes without causing displacement. The project includes infrastructure upgrades, a new commercial corridor, and a resiliency park to mitigate flooding.

Recognizing the importance of supporting the senior population, Mayor Bhalla announced plans to create more affordable housing for seniors at 11th and Willow, representing the first new affordable housing complex in over 30 years. He highlighted recent redevelopment agreements to increase affordable housing stock, including a project near Hoboken Terminal with a 20% affordable housing set aside.

Mayor Bhalla underscored the city’s efforts to address climate change and environmental justice, citing resiliency projects such as Harborside Park and ResilienCity Park. He emphasized the city’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 through initiatives such as the Hoboken Community Solar Program and on-street EV charging stations. Additionally, Vision Zero initiatives aim to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety through projects such as the Sinatra Drive redesign and improvements along Willow Avenue.

Watch Mayor Bhalla’s full address here.

Mayor Cassie Franklin
Everett, WA

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin delivered her State of the City Address, reflecting on key moments in Everett’s history, celebrating how far the city has come and shared the opportunities ahead and the importance of working towards a better tomorrow.

Mayor Franklin spoke about the multipurpose outdoor facility being considered and reaffirmed the city’s continued support and commitment to keeping the AquaSox in Everett. The options under consideration are remodeling Funko Field, building a new stadium at the Funko Field site, or building a new stadium downtown. 

She announced the launch of a new emergency mobile opioid treatment pilot program, which will bring addiction treatment to those who need it most, as well as plans to create an alternate response program, adding a new option for how Everett responds to calls for service involving individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Mayor Franklin also highlighted some of the many accomplishments made over 2023, including launching a violent crime unit, completing the Silver Lake trail, expanding the embedded social worker team, supporting early childhood education, replacing critical water infrastructure, and moving closer to transit.  

Watch Mayor Franklin’s full address here.

Mayor Justin M. Bibb
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb delivered his State of the City Address, outlining his vision for a thriving Cleveland, where every resident has access to safety, opportunity, and a quality education. 

Public safety emerged as a top priority for the Mayor, where he highlighted the RISE initiative, which focuses on crime prevention and effective response strategies. Mayor Bibb shared updates about agreements with the police unions to support officer retention and recruitment. The city also established a $10 million Neighborhood Safety Fund to provide sustained support for evidence-based programs that address the root causes of violence in the community and meet residents where they are. 

Mayor Bibb underscored the importance of housing reform in protecting residents and promoting equitable access to quality housing. He introduced theResidents First legislation, which aims to hold landlords accountable and close loopholes that enable predatory practices. 

The Mayor announced partnerships to bridge the digital divide, with initiatives including a citywide fiber network project and collaboration with non-profit organizations to provide affordable high-speed internet access to more residents. Specifically, the city is using federal stimulus dollars to work with DigitalC to expand the broadband network, offering high-speed internet across Cleveland for just $18 a month, with availability for all residents by next summer.

As chair of Climate Mayors, Mayor Bibb is committed to ensuring federal funding benefits communities of color and those most vulnerable to climate change. The city has pledged a 50% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 and outlined plans for its waterfronts to combat flooding and extreme weather. 

Watch Mayor Bibb’s full remarks here.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott
Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott gave his State of the City Address, emphasizing the importance of bold leadership, community involvement, and perseverance in addressing the city’s challenges and realizing its potential. 

The Mayor discussed efforts to address gun violence in Baltimore, citing a 20% reduction in homicides and the implementation of various strategies to combat crime. He emphasized the importance of community engagement and collaboration in these efforts, highlighting initiatives such as Safe Streets, We Our Us, the PEACE Team, and the Squeegee Collaborative as examples of successful partnerships between the city government and local organizations.

Another area of focus in Mayor Scott’s address was youth empowerment and investment in their future. Mayor Scott highlighted the success of initiatives such as Youthworks, which provides summer jobs for young people and career opportunities for recent graduates through the Mayor’s HBCU Fellowship Program. He also shared ongoing efforts to enhance school infrastructure and support initiatives to improve student outcomes. 

Addressing public health challenges, the Mayor highlighted initiatives aimed at reducing infant mortality rates, protecting reproductive rights, and addressing the opioid epidemic. He also underscored the importance of supporting Baltimore’s older adults and addressing housing challenges. 

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.

Mayor Andre Dickens
Atlanta, GA

In his State of the City address, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens outlined the significant progress made during his first two years in office and emphasized his ongoing commitment to advancing the city's prosperity and equity.

Mayor Dickens discussed the city's initiatives to support youth development, emphasizing the success of the Year of the Youth program. He celebrated the program's achievements in providing thousands of young Atlantans with work experience, scholarships, mentorship, and educational support. The Mayor expressed his commitment to making every year a Year of the Youth, highlighting the collective effort of partners in empowering Atlanta's youth.

Another focus of Mayor Dickens' address was public safety, underscoring the city's achievements in reducing major crimes and homicides through a holistic approach beyond policing. The Mayor introduced initiatives, including the Diversion Center and the Community Assistance Responders Unit, to address non-emergency service calls and provide alternative responses to certain situations, allowing law enforcement to focus on more critical issues. He also highlighted the progress of the Public Safety Training Center, which aims to enhance training for first responders, including firefighters and EMTs. 

Mayor Dickens addressed homelessness, sharing personal stories and highlighting the city's efforts to provide housing and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness. He emphasized the importance of compassion and community-driven solutions in addressing this issue, showcasing successful interventions such as The Melody and the Ralph David House.

Watch Mayor Dickens’ full address here.

Mayor Arunan Arulampalam
Hartford, CT

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam delivered his administration's first State of the City Address, which focused on building a connected city that lifts up residents in all neighborhoods and how his initiatives aim to connect residents to their city, their government, and each other.

Mayor Arulampalam began by discussing the FY 2025 Recommended Budget, which focuses on protecting renters and homeowners, investing in violence prevention, ensuring small businesses grow, and creating good-paying jobs. The Mayor spoke about investing in young people through the creation of the Department of Sports and Recreation, and he applauded the six young children who advocated for the new department before the City Council. He noted that the budget also centers on not cutting city services or raising taxes or fees on residents who are already experiencing financial strains. 

The Mayor also announced that the city would soon launch an Office of Violence Prevention, increasing coordination, collaboration, and communication between non-profits, police, and schools. The office will be the second fully operational office of its kind in Connecticut. 

“The state of our city is strong because our people are strong. Because we are resilient, determined, hopeful, and connected. Because when we come together to fulfill the promise of this city, and fight for our future, we grow even stronger. Today, I want to talk about the challenges we face and opportunities in front of us. And how by building a more connected city we will overcome these challenges and rise together,” said Mayor Arulampalam.

Watch Mayor Arulampalam’s full address here.

Mayor Phillip Jones
Newport News, VA

Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones gave his first State of the City Address, centered on the theme of Building Forward. He celebrated community accomplishments while outlining his vision to guide the city over the next several years. 

Mayor Jones underscored the importance of education as a top priority for the community, praising the city’s educational achievements and sharing initiatives that will revise curriculum, increase accreditation, and close achievement gaps. He also discussed efforts to enhance early childhood education outcomes by developing a state-of-the-art early childhood center, which will open later this year.

The Mayor outlined various strategies and partnerships related to public safety, particularly to address gun violence. Mayor Jones noted establishing the Newport News Office of Community Safety, hiring a violence prevention manager, investing in youth sports programs, and exploring hospital-based violence intervention programs. 

Mayor Jones emphasized the need for continued youth engagement and declared this year the Year of the Youth in Newport News. He encouraged the community to get involved in mentorship opportunities and other youth programming, such as the city’s summer youth employment program. The Mayor acknowledged the importance of businesses and the civic community engaging with young people as it is a collective responsibility to build a better future for the youth of Newport News.

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg
San Antonio, TX
 

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg delivered his State of the City Address, which celebrated the community’s achievements and resilience while outlining his vision for the city’s future. The Mayor’s priorities include workforce development, affordable housing, transportation, sustainability, and public safety. 

A central theme of Mayor Nirenberg’s remarks was the importance of investing in the community’s workforce and ensuring economic mobility for all. The Mayor highlighted his Ready to Work workforce training program, which trains and educates thousands of workers and creates a pipeline of trained employees to meet any employer’s needs in the city. So far, more than 6,500 people have enrolled in the program, more than 1,200 individuals have graduated, and more than 50% of graduates are already on the job.

Mayor Nirenberg acknowledged the voter-approved affordable housing bond passed in 2022 and its significant impact on the community. Since its passing, it has helped facilitate the construction of over 1,000 new multifamily units and upgraded nearly 900 aging and low-income households with critical repairs to ensure families age in place with dignity while preserving the value of their homes.

The Mayor discussed efforts to improve airport infrastructure and public transportation, including investments in San Antonio Airport’s terminal development plan and ground load facility and the VIA Green and Silver Lines. Mayor Nirenberg also shared sustainability updates, including being the top solar-producing city in Texas and fifth best in the nation, and plans to build a much-needed energy grid.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Karen Bass
Los Angeles, CA
 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass gave her State of the City Address, sharing that while there is still much work to be done, the state of the city is stronger because of work done to disrupt the status quo and work to lock arms with all levels of government. 

Mayor Bass highlighted how her new approach has impacted how the city addresses homelessness, public safety, and operates city hall. Compared to 2022, the city in 2023 helped thousands more unhoused residents come inside, homicides and violent crime went down, and 100,000 more service requests were completed.

Regarding homelessness, the Mayor recommitted to unprecedented urgency in addressing this crisis, describing the transition from the rescue phase to the recovery phase of an emergency. She also highlighted her efforts to address LAPD hiring and retention and how her budget proposal for the next year will preserve core services and serve as a “reset” to improve future budgets. 

Mayor Bass said that to boost downtown and the city’s economy, she supported exploring the modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center and called on the private sector and philanthropy to join a new capital campaign to house people experiencing homelessness called LA4LA. She also announced new climate action efforts to help the city become a 100% clean energy city by 2035.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Leonardo Williams
Durham, NC

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams gave his first State of the City Address, expressing optimism about the community's future and calling on residents to be bold in their vision for the city. The Mayor outlined Durham's community, economic, and workforce development efforts while acknowledging the city's achievements and path to success. 

The city of Durham is focused heavily on youth development and providing them with the tools necessary to be successful. The Mayor shared the efforts being led by the Office of Youth in amplifying the voices of young people and providing a platform for them to enhance services and programs for their peers. He also announced plans to launch a Taskforce on Black Men and Boys later this year to provide actionable recommendations for the community to support them better. 

The Mayor outlined plans to energize Durham's economic development and invest in projects that build opportunities that make the city the best place to live, work, and travel. He discussed workforce development initiatives, including reimagining Durham YouthWorks' city-wide workforce program and new partnerships supporting high school students interested in healthcare careers. Mayor Williams also announced the upcoming launch of the Bull City Apprenticeship Program, which will provide on-the-job training to upskill workers and provide residents with sustainable employment opportunities. 

Mayor Williams is leading efforts to achieve affordable living for every resident and shared initiatives to address the housing supply issue, including projects with city-owned land. The city is also working to protect historically marginalized neighborhoods and shared funding that was secured to help construct over 50 affordable multifamily rental units. The Mayor shared collaborative efforts with community partners, such as the Durham Housing Authority, and how they are in the process of building 2,000 multi-income units downtown. 

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Shammas Malik
Akron, OH

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik delivered his first State of the City Address, focusing on his priorities in the first 100 days, the successes and difficulties he has encountered, and what is next for the community. The Mayor’s priorities include public safety, quality education, health, housing, the environment, economic development, and job opportunities.

Mayor Malik’s number one priority is public safety, and he discussed several ways the city and its partners can work together to address concerns. The Mayor announced the upcoming launch of the Street Team pilot program focused on community violence intervention. The program will hire Credible Messengers who will engage with those most likely to be involved with violence and help them understand the consequences of their actions while providing them with support and guidance.

The Mayor noted that Akron continues to build partnerships with the local public schools and higher education institutions. His administration is also focused on tackling universal pre-K, and they are working with community partners so that every family can have access to affordable, high-quality early learning programs. Additionally, Mayor Malik is launching the Youth Success Summit, which is a backbone organization for out-of-school time providers and will empower providers to deliver high-quality programs that meet the needs of youth.

The city of Akron will launch employee resource groups for city employees for the first time, supporting female employees, BIPOC employees, and LGBTQ+ employees and their allies. The resource groups will be employee-led, with support from the administration, and they plan to expand to other groups in the future. 

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Malik Evans
Rochester, NY
 

Mayor Malik Evans delivered his State of the City Address, highlighting how Rochester is strong and getting better every day because city leaders and partners are making critical investments that are empowering residents, perpetuating sustained growth, and expanding wealth.

In his remarks, Mayor Evans began with safety, pointing to the partnerships with law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels to focus on the most violent offenders, illegal guns, and areas with the highest levels of violence. As a result of these efforts, firearm violence has seen a significant reduction over the past two years, with shootings down by 31%, firearm-related deaths by 29%, and total homicides by 32%

On equity, Mayor Evans shared programs that focus on helping residents achieve economic mobility and generational wealth. He noted that the city’s Housing Bureau has been investing in affordable housing and homeownership programs, helping people who pay more than 30% of their income toward housing costs emerge from being rent-burdened.

The Mayor emphasized the hundreds of millions of dollars in investment toward capital projects across Rochester, including ROC the Riverway, Inner Loop North Revitalization, and the Bull’s Head Revitalization. Mayor Evans shared that since 2022, the city has completed or started projects to build or renovate more than 1,000 market-rate rental units and nearly 1,700 affordable units for a total investment of $685 million. 

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Mike Duggan
Detroit, MI
 

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered his 11th State of the City Address, celebrating the city’s substantial growth and achievements throughout his tenure in office and his vision for continuing to move the community forward.

In his address, Mayor Duggan reflected on Detroit’s transformation over the past decade, mainly focusing on neighborhood revitalization. He recounted how the city had overcome significant challenges and made major progress by establishing new manufacturing plants, revitalizing abandoned buildings into thriving commercial and residential spaces, and investing in healthcare infrastructure.

The Mayor highlighted the city’s proactive approach to public safety, sharing the successes of various outreach and intervention programs, technology investments, and community engagement efforts such as Project Green Light. Through these efforts, the city has seen significant reductions in carjackings and homicides, with the Mayor attributing this progress to collaborative efforts between law enforcement, community organizations, and local government.

Mayor Duggan underscored Detroit’s significant drop in unemployment rates and shared his efforts to continue to provide more good-paying job opportunities for residents. Through initiatives such as Detroit at Work and Adult Scholarships funded by the American Rescue Plan, residents have been empowered to acquire new skills and secure employment.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Ted Green
East Orange, NJ

East Orange Mayor Ted R. Green presented his State of the City Address, which covered the progress of the city over the past six years under his administration, including new workforce development initiatives, more than $2.5 billion in redevelopment, reduced crime, $100 million in infrastructure improvements, and affordable housing. 

In his address, Mayor Green highlighted several significant achievements and initiatives for the community. These include a $2.5 billion investment in redevelopment, with 22% of all new housing designated as affordable. Additionally, $100 million has been allocated for public works and infrastructure improvements. 

The Mayor highlighted historic reductions in crime, including 69% in gun-related crimes, 33% in violent crimes, and 4% in overall crimes since 2018. He also shared the creation of the Public Safety Drone Team to assist with crime and firefighting and the establishment of the Homeless Prevention and Response Team to address chronic homelessness. 

Mayor Green showcased some of the city’s ongoing construction projects, including the Crossings at Brick Church Station, the East Orange Public Library, and Oval Park. In a video shown during his remarks, he revealed that the new basketball courts would be named in honor of Grammy-Award-Winning Group Naughty By Nature, whose members Vin Rock, DJ Kay Jee, and Treach grew up in the area surrounding the park.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Kate Gallego
Phoenix, AZ
 

DMA President Mayor Kate Gallego delivered her State of the City Address, reflecting on how Phoenix is the city of the future, where possibility is found in every corner. In her remarks, she shared her vision for creating a successful, sustainable, and safe Phoenix for all residents to thrive and live comfortably. 

Mayor Gallego underscored the seismic impact of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC)’s $65 billion investment in Phoenix, made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration’s CHIPS Act and her relentless pursuit of the opportunity for her community. The investment, alongside expansions by other semiconductor companies, will catalyze job growth and economic prosperity in the region, improve national security, and benefit underrepresented communities. 

The Mayor highlighted the growth of Phoenix Sky Harbor airport as an essential economic driver through its increased international passenger numbers and expanded flight options. She applauded the airport’s recognition by the Wall Street Journal last year as the best airport in the country and outlined plans for more improvements, including a new terminal with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

She emphasized the city’s commitment to sustainability, highlighting efforts to build a cleaner, cooler, and more equitable Phoenix through installing solar panels on residential homes, planting more trees, and expanding cooling centers. Mayor Gallego also addressed concerns with water resources, reaffirming that the city is not running out of water but is conserving better than ever and working to create a new supply. 

Public safety remains a top priority for the Mayor, acknowledging the dedication of police officers and the city’s collaborative work with community partners to improve response efforts to mental health crises. Mayor Gallego also highlighted efforts to address affordable housing, including efforts with the Housing Phoenix Plan, which aims to create or preserve 50,000 homes by 2030, and other initiatives to streamline the development process and increase the housing supply. 

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Indya Kincannon
Knoxville, TN
 

Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon gave her State of the City Address, highlighting how the city is on a roll and sharing her $461.6 million budget with a pledge to see transformational projects through the finish line. The Mayor’s priorities include enhancing public safety, relieving the acute housing shortage, creating jobs and equitable economic opportunities, investing in public infrastructure, and being brilliant at the basics. 

Mayor Kincannon shared the significant strides made in housing initiatives, including investing more in affordable, attainable housing than ever before and leveraging millions of private dollars to create homes for thousands of Knoxville families. Specifically, she shared how, for the first time in Knoxville’s history, local philanthropists are donating more than $2 million to help accelerate affordable housing. She also highlighted the partnership with Knox County to launch the first-ever Joint Office of Housing Stability, which has led coordinated efforts to help residents in need.

The Mayor celebrated the progress the city is making in protecting its clean air and water, ensuring the community is ready for extreme weather events. She noted that thanks to support from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, they will plant thousands of more trees across the community. Knoxville is also working to reduce its carbon footprint and increase its resiliency through electrifying its fleet, including more EVs for police and firefighters and more electric buses.

Mayor Kincannon is committed to keeping the community safe and shared that crime has been down for the second year due to the collective efforts of KPD, KFD, the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment, and community groups. The Mayor also shared efforts to ensure people can move around the city without harm when walking, biking, taking the bus, or driving through Knoxville’s Vision Zero plan, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths on city streets by 2040. Further, with support from President Biden’s federal investments, Knoxville will have $8 million to implement safety initiatives on Broadway, Woodland, and Magnolia Avenue.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Lauren McLean
Boise, ID

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean gave her State of the City Address, laying out a bold vision for the city’s future grounded in principles of sustainability, innovation, and a history of working together. The Mayor celebrated recent milestones, including strategic investments in affordable housing, job creation, and expanded access to parks and open spaces.

Mayor McLean highlighted how technology entrepreneurs are choosing Boise as their headquarters and helping the community become a national leader in the technology and semiconductor industry. Additionally, she emphasized the significance of President Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act investment in Boise’s Micron hub, which played a critical role in helping the community become a technology industry hub. The significant growth has already resulted in Boise’s job rate increasing by 4.1% in the last year.

The Mayor unveiled investments that address homelessness and housing affordability, including a city match to a $250,000 contribution from private donors to prevent evictions through Jesse Tree. The purchase of the Park Apartments from Boise State and plans for New Path 2.0 for initiatives to end homelessness underscore the city’s commitment to ensuring everyone who wants a home can afford one in Boise.

The cornerstone of Mayor McLean’s address was the launch of the Supportive Housing Investment Fund in partnership with the Idaho Community Foundation. With a $7.5 million commitment in seed funding from the city, the fund will provide supportive services, such as health care, mental health counseling, and other services for those exiting homelessness. 

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.

Mayor Jacob Frey
Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered his State of the City Address, focusing on the city’s affordable housing production, current arts, vibrant storefronts work to revitalize downtown, the Southside Community Safety Center, police reform, the city workforce, and the budgeting process for 2025.

Since Mayor Frey took office in 2018, affordable housing has been a top priority, and the CPED housing team has led the charge. The Mayor and his administration have invested $363 million in affordable rental housing and homeownership programs. Over the past six years, the city has produced 4,679 total units of affordable housing, an average of 780 total units each year.

Minneapolis is working to bring the Southside Community Safety Center to fruition by next year, and local communities are shaping the vision alongside city partners. The Office of Community Safety (OCS) has met with community members during more than 15 engagement sessions and is collecting feedback directly from those who will be most impacted. OCS is also acting on recommendations from the Minneapolis Safe and Thriving Communities Report to address prevention, response, and restoration efforts.

The city is also focused on strengthening its workforce and has worked to get new hires in the door quicker, increase employee diversity, and retain critical talent. Compared to last year, applications to the city have gone up 101%, the time to fill jobs has decreased 26%, and the diverse team they are forming is serving the city with passion and skill. Additionally, Minneapolis this past year was recognized as an “Age Friendly Employer” by the Age Friendly Institute and as a “Most LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer” by Diversity for Social Impact.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones
St. Louis, MO
 

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones gave her State of the City Address, outlining her administration’s continued efforts to make the city safer through infrastructure projects designed to improve streets and expand transit options, such as the Metrolink Green Line expansion. The Mayor also highlighted the significant impact of the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, which are being used for paving, lighting, and traffic calming measures on roadways.

Mayor Jones shared the work of the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) and significant improvements to 911 response times over the last year, both part of a holistic, long-term approach to public safety. In 2023, OVP helped divert over 550 9-1-1 calls to behavioral health responders, and the Crisis Response Unit helped St. Louisans in over 6,500 cases.

The Mayor emphasized how her administration invests in economic development that uplifts families, supports small businesses, and helps foster local communities. Further, she noted how the city is providing tools to help homeowners stay in their homes and get help with repairs through the ARPA-supported Healthy Home Repair Program, which has doubled the number of houses served this year from 155 to 317.

As part of her administration’s efforts to build a healthier city workforce, Mayor Jones announced that the city launched a hiring website powered by new software that will make it faster and easier to apply and get hired by the city. The website is powered by the Taleo software. 

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell
Nashville, TN

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell gave his first State of the City Address, detailing a path toward a more connected, affordable city with a local government that feels like a partner to residents. 

Mayor O’Connell discussed Nashville’s transportation improvement program, Choose How You Move, which aims to improve sidewalks, signals, service, and safety. The referendum would add 86 miles of sidewalk improvements, 54 miles of upgraded corridors to provide more reliable transit options, and a transit system that runs 24/7, 365 days a year. The program will also add 12 modern community transit centers, 17 new park-and-ride facilities, and 35 miles of upgraded and new bicycle facilities.

The Mayor highlighted education initiatives, including expanding university MNPS partnerships to create full-ride scholarship opportunities at local colleges and universities. The city is also proposing to invest $18 million in textbooks while ensuring it continues to expand Community Achieves, nurses in every school, high-impact tutoring, summer learning camps, Saturday instruction, and mentorship programs. 

Mayor O’Connell announced that the co-responder Partners in Care program is now operating countywide and has responded to more than 27,000 service calls since the launch. The city has also revised its overall approach to public safety, adding community-based safety programs and refining traditional policing programs. Specifically, the Mayor shared that homicides are down 25.6%, violent crime by 5.4%, and gun thefts from vehicles by 35% year-over-year.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Andrew Ginther
Columbus, OH

In his State of the City Address, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther outlined his vision for the city and his priorities for his third term in office. These include strengthening community safety, promoting affordable neighborhoods, and building an expanded, equitable, and affordable transportation system. 

Mayor Ginther underscored the importance of maintaining safe and vibrant neighborhoods and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to reducing crime. He credited the efforts of Chief Bryant and the Columbus Police Department for significant achievements, including a decrease in homicides and improvements in solving crimes. Initiatives such as the Crime Gun Intelligence Center have been transformational, drastically reducing the time required to trace firearms and helping to increase case-closure rates. 

Transportation is another priority, with the LinkUS initiative aiming to improve mobility in Central Ohio. This comprehensive plan includes the development of rapid transit lines, extensive bikeways, sidewalks, and trails to create a more connected and accessible community. LinkUS is expected to enhance job access, reduce transportation costs, and spur new regional development.

The Mayor discussed housing affordability and availability, which will be addressed through comprehensive zoning reform. Columbus plans to update the community’s zoning code for the first time in 70 years, which will lead to higher standards and faster construction to meet demand. He also highlighted how the modernized zoning efforts are estimated to help produce 88,000 new residences. Mayor Ginther also called for regional cooperation to ensure that growth benefits all communities and addresses disparities in opportunity and prosperity.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here. 

Mayor Matt Mahan
San Jose, CA

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan delivered his State of the City Address, where he recognized the community's heroes, highlighted the importance of service, and discussed his efforts to tackle homelessness and public safety concerns. 

In his remarks, he discussed his administration's most strategic investment in ending unsheltered homelessness in the history of San Jose, sharing they are committed to moving more people out of unmanaged encampments than ever before. Over the next year, the city plans to help 500 people relocate out of the waterways. Additionally, San Jose is investing in safe sleeping sites by adding over 600 quick-build units and establishing a safe parking site with a capacity for 100 lived-in vehicles. The quick-build units have already helped produce the first significant reductions in unsheltered homelessness in San Jose in a decade. 

Mayor Mahan also shared the progress the city is making in police recruitment efforts. For the first time in five years, San Jose has experienced a growing number of applicants to the San Jose Police Department academy. He credits the city's investments in outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts with helping expand the numbers and build a safer city.  

The Mayor concluded his remarks by urging residents to embrace the spirit of volunteerism and help make San Jose cleaner, safer, and more vibrant. Following his remarks, attendees put their service-minded efforts to work by dividing into various groups and completing projects around San Jose's largest park, including planting trees, painting fences, and pulling weeds. After completing the service projects, guests reconvened to share a meal from local food trucks. 

Watch the Mayor’s full address here. 

Mayor Mike Johnston
Denver, CO

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston delivered his first State of the City Address, celebrating the city’s achievements over the last year and outlining his priorities for the coming year. His priorities include addressing homelessness, responding to the migrant crisis, reimagining public safety, uniting the community through service, investing in a vibrant city, and making the community affordable.

On his first day in office, Mayor Johnston declared a State of Emergency on Homelessness, activating the Emergency Operations Center and bringing city leaders together to develop what is now the All In Mile High program. He set a bold goal to help 1,000 Denverites get off the streets and into housing by the end of 2023 and delivered on that promise. The city also opened eight All In Mile High sites, acquired 1,202 transitional housing units, and helped more than 1,650 people get off the streets and into stable housing.  

Embracing evidence-based public safety strategies, Mayor Johnston and the city are investing in a comprehensive safety plan to make Denver one of the safest big cities in America. This summer, Denver helped put 700 youth to work, supported 20 community activation pop-ups in neighborhoods, invested in additional infrastructure such as street lighting, and added more patrols to places that needed them.

The Mayor is working to unite the community around the spirit of service and is launching a new community engagement program initiative called Give5 Mile High with his wife, Courtney. The initiative will encourage residents to volunteer five hours monthly in various service projects for the city and its neighbors. 

Mayor Johnston is committed to making Denver affordable for all and is partnering with members of the City Council to bring the Affordable Denver fund to this November’s ballot. The Affordable Denver fund will raise $100 million yearly to go directly toward affordable housing for nurses, seniors, teachers, and working families who need relief.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.
Little Rock, AR

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. delivered his State of the City Address, reflecting on the unity and strength of his community. He also outlined his priorities: safety, innovation, education, food insecurity, affordable housing, and workforce and economic development.

Public safety remains a top priority, and the city made significant progress in 2023, including a 22% reduction in homicides and improvements to its 911 Emergency Communications Department. The Fire Department made strides with eco-friendly operations and community engagement. Little Rock also intends to expand its Real Time Crime Center through its new “Eyes of the Rock” initiative, which will partner with local businesses and nonprofits to reduce crime.

Mayor Scott shared updates on educational initiatives the city is leading, including investing in literacy for their youngest residents through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Little Rock has successfully increased participation from 58% to 79% of children under five. Additionally, he is focused on workforce development efforts for students and announced the Little Rock Career Climb initiative, which will expand the Summer Youth Employment program into a year-round apprenticeship program by 2025.

The Mayor discussed efforts to address food insecurity, sharing the establishment of the Food Desert Task Force and community recommendations for a mobile grocery store. Mayor Scott also spoke about efforts to address homelessness and affordable housing. He noted that Little Rock’s homeless village is slated to open by late summer and the launch of a Holistic Housing Initiative, which will include hiring the city’s first Chief Homeless Officer.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg
Sacramento, CA 
 

In his final State of the City Address, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg reflected on the city’s progress and challenges during his eight years in office while highlighting the lessons learned throughout his tenure in public office at the local and legislative levels. His top priorities focused on economic growth, reducing homelessness, improving public safety, expanding affordable housing, and securing long-term funding for infrastructure.

Mayor Steinberg celebrated the city’s achievements in public safety, noting a reduction in crime, including a 13.6% decrease in overall crime. He attributed these improvements to the efforts of Sacramento’s police, fire, and first responders. He also emphasized the city’s economic resilience, with the unemployment rate being lower than its historic average and well below the Covid-19 height in 2021. 

A top priority for the Mayor during his tenure was addressing unsheltered homelessness, and during his remarks, he reflected on the many obstacles that arose and the lasting impact his administration has made. Under his leadership, the city reduced unsheltered homelessness by 41% despite statewide increases. He also highlighted the creation of 1,300 new beds and the city’s focus on securing direct state funding for homelessness interventions. While Mayor Steinberg shared that there is still much work to be done, he expressed pride in the city’s efforts to help 25,000 individuals move from the streets to stable housing.

Economic development, particularly in underinvested neighborhoods, was another focal point for the Mayor. He cited projects such as Aggie Square, an initiative that promises to bring more than 5,000 jobs and $5 billion annually in economic investment to Sacramento. He lauded Aggie Square as a transformative effort that prioritizes the surrounding community through affordable housing investments and local hiring guarantees. 

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Tim Keller 
Albuquerque, NM

In his sixth State of the City Address, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller laid out a vision focused on “a future worth fighting for.” His priorities include public safety, housing and homelessness, growing the local economy, improving healthcare access, and fostering inclusive communities. 

A primary focus of Mayor Keller’s address was public safety, announcing a series of initiatives to reduce crime and enhance safety across the city, including increasing patrols on public transit, expanding the ShotSpotter gun detection system, and doubling the number of speed cameras. Additionally, Mayor Keller outlined plans to install more security cameras and license plate readers, add new streetlights, and provide grants to businesses to improve their security. 

Mayor Keller introduced the Metro Homelessness Initiative, a comprehensive strategy to get people off the streets and into housing. This initiative includes efforts such as improving the city’s housing voucher system and introducing a Renters’ Bill of Rights and Landlord Engagement Program. He also announced the creation of a distributed Gateway Network to offer wrap-around services at multiple locations, including medical respite and youth-specific services. 

Mayor Keller also focused on economic growth, highlighting Albuquerque’s progress in attracting significant investments in green energy, including over $1 billion from companies such as Ebon, Maxeon, and Array. He expressed support for raising the city’s minimum wage to help working families and detailed efforts to revitalize downtown Albuquerque, which will benefit from a $200 million investment through a Tax Increment Financing District. Additionally, the Mayor emphasized the success of the Job Training Albuquerque program, which has helped train nearly 2,000 employees and boost local earning power.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor John Whitmire
Houston, TX

Houston Mayor John Whitmire held his inaugural State of the City address on September 17, 2024, at the Hilton Americas. The Mayor talked about his upbringing, his early years in the Texas Legislature, and the challenges his administration inherited since he became the leader of the nation’s fourth-largest city.

In a fireside chat, Mayor Whitmire discussed his priorities, including public safety, transportation/mobility options, quality of life issues, and eliminating fraud and waste while leading a transparent and accountable city for Houstonians. Despite a budget shortfall and expenses related to two powerful storms in 2024, Mayor Whitmire stressed that property taxes are not on his agenda.

“I'm not going to look or raise taxes until I can tell Houstonians I've done everything possible to cut out waste duplication, and quite frankly, corruption,” he told the audience.

Houston-based accounting firm Ernst & Young is doing an audit looking for waste, fraud, duplication, and overall operational efficiencies of the departments,

“Houston is a great city with great people. However, like all major cities, we have challenges” said Mayor Whitmire.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird
Lincoln, NE

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird delivered her State of the City Address, which focused on significant street infrastructure, affordable housing, and workforce development successes. She also announced critical advancements in initiatives to grow Lincoln’s vibrant economy and quality of life.

Mayor Gaylor Baird reported $47 million in street infrastructure investments over the past year, resulting in the construction and resurfacing of nearly 18 lane miles of arterial streets and eight miles of residential streets. Additionally, she highlighted the success of the voter-approved Lincoln on the Move sales tax, set to expire next year, which has increased the city’s capacity to deliver street improvements.

On housing, the Mayor celebrated progress toward her goal of creating 5,000 new or rehabilitated affordable units by 2030. She announced that her administration had incentivized the creation of 2,641 units of new or rehabilitated affordable housing, putting Lincoln ahead of schedule and over halfway toward achieving its goal. 

As a result of her administration’s priority on workforce development, Mayor Gaylor Baird noted that nearly 1,500 residents have benefited from the city’s job training initiatives designed to equip workers with skills in high-demand fields, such as manufacturing, IT, and the health sciences. She also highlighted city investments to support early childhood workforce programs that are helping to credential new educators and expand access to quality childcare for working families.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.
 

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba
Jackson, MS

In his State of the City Address, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba highlighted themes of progress and resilience while sharing his plans for the community on public safety, infrastructure, education, economic development, and the city’s water system. 

The Mayor highlighted a notable reduction in crime, with property crimes down by 21% and crimes against persons reduced by 36%. Mayor Lumumba credited these improvements to the collective efforts of the city, community partners, and law enforcement. The city is investing in upgraded policing tools, such as a real-time command center, license plate readers, and a new fleet of patrol cars. He also noted the establishment of the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery as another milestone aimed at addressing the root causes of violence, particularly among youth.

Another significant achievement was the Jackson Public School District’s turnaround, after facing the threat of a state takeover early in his administration. In partnership with community stakeholders, the city helped orchestrate a recovery plan that fully restored the district’s performance, with several schools now ranked among the best in the state. 

Mayor Lumumba also addressed the challenge of homelessness and the city’s focus on providing holistic solutions. His administration is working on developing transitional housing and enhancing code enforcement to eliminate encampments and restore dignity to the unhoused population. The Mayor emphasized that this effort, alongside a broader strategy of aggressive legal action against environmental hazards and corporate entities exploiting the city, has resulted in tangible improvements.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here. 

Mayor Dean Trantalis
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis delivered his State of the City Address, highlighting the city’s progress in infrastructure, public safety, sustainability, housing, transportation, and quality of life while laying out a forward-looking vision for continued growth.

Over the past six years, the city has invested over $1.6 billion in infrastructure, including $321 million for water and sewer improvements and $70 million for stormwater management. The Mayor also emphasized the success of the “Fortify Lauderdale” initiative, designed to address outdated stormwater systems in flood-prone neighborhoods. 

Public safety was another key focus, with the Mayor noting decreases in violent crime, the addition of new police officers and firefighters, and the construction of a new police station. He announced an $11.4 million grant to further bolster emergency response by hiring additional firefighters. The city has also implemented new technology to address gun violence and launched community-based crime prevention initiatives.

Mayor Trantalis celebrated the city’s innovative public-private partnerships, such as renovating the War Memorial Auditorium in collaboration with the Florida Panthers and developing family-friendly facilities at Snyder Park. He also highlighted the city’s leadership in environmental sustainability, with initiatives such as the aggressive waterway cleanup program, LEED Gold certification for sustainable practices, expanded water quality monitoring, and a goal of planting 10,000 trees over the next decade. 

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Ed Gainey
Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey delivered his State of the City Address, presenting his 2025 budget proposal that details his vision to protect and build on his administration’s work to restore core services for residents, increase the availability of affordable housing, and revitalize the downtown. During his address, Mayor Gainey highlighted investments in public works, public safety, housing, development plans, economic development, and environmental efforts. 

In public safety, Mayor Gainey highlighted the addition of new civilian positions within the police department, which will allow sworn officers to focus more on patrol and investigative work. He also shared that the Violence Interruption Program will be expanded to better connect at-risk residents with resources aimed at preventing gun violence. Additionally, he announced that the Office of Community Health & Safety will extend its Co-response Program across all city zones and shifts, and the Freedom House EMT Academy will be made a permanent program, enabling EMS to train new EMTs.

In housing, the Mayor announced that zoning amendments are being made to reduce barriers to housing production and promote inclusionary zoning. He noted that the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant will expand affordable housing in the Hill District, while the Affordable Housing Bond will invest over $30 million in housing projects over the next three years. Additionally, Mayor Gainey highlighted downtown conversion investment projects aimed at creating 1,000 new housing units, and he noted that the OwnPGH Program has already enabled 150 low- and moderate-income residents to purchase homes for the first time.

Mayor Gainey also shared economic development initiatives, including a $600 million reinvestment in downtown Pittsburgh, which will create and preserve nearly 1,000 housing units, remake public spaces, and increase public safety resources. The Mayor highlighted the Regional Workforce Equity Agreement, developed in partnership with the Housing Authority and Urban Redevelopment Authority, which will create job opportunities for those most in need. Additionally, the Mayor shared that the Pittsburgh Prosperity Project will help residents overcome employment obstacles such as childcare, learning job site culture, or transportation.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Van Johnson
Savannah, GA

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson gave his State of the City Address, highlighting the community’s significant accomplishments from the past year and his plans for the future. The Mayor’s priorities include community development, resiliency, public safety, livability, quality of life, fundamental city services, economic access, and good governance. 

“The state of Savannah is resolute. We are renewed. We are refreshed. And we are ready to continue to build the next era of the greatest City on earth,” said Mayor Johnson.

A top priority for the Mayor is affordable housing, and he shared that in its first three years, the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund surpassed its investment target by an impressive 232%, reaching over $122 million. He noted through the city’s Housing Savannah initiative, they have supported 679 households with rental assistance, invested in 254 rental units, helped 586 homeowners with essential repairs, and provided 165 first-time homebuyers with down payment assistance.  Additionally, as of mid-year, the Housing Savannah Action Plan is on track to meet 50% of its annual goals, with more than $19 million slated to support 373 households by year-end. 

The Mayor also discussed efforts to combat homelessness, noting work through task forces and strategic partnerships to make strides for the community. He highlighted that according to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count Report, Savannah decreased homelessness by 22.5%.

Mayor Johnson also spoke about public safety improvements, sharing that citywide, violent crime has decreased by 21%, and property crime is down by 18% from last year. He discussed safety investments, including adding 32 new officers to the Savannah Police Department and passing a 5% pay increase for officers to stay competitive and recruit quality candidates. The Mayor also shared about the Stolen Gun Ordinance, which holds people accountable for leaving weapons in unlocked vehicles, and the success of the city’s “Top 10 Most Wanted” initiative, a program aimed at capturing Savannah’s most dangerous criminals. 

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

Mayor Aftab Pureval
Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval delivered his State of the City Address, reflecting on achievements and his vision for the city’s future. The Mayor’s priorities include equitable growth, public safety, environmental justice, economic opportunity, and housing.

Mayor Pureval highlighted several investments in community-based solutions to prevent violence. The city launched an Alternative Response to Crisis team, which deploys mental health professionals for specific 911 calls, freeing up police resources and providing specialized care. Additionally, partnerships with local hospitals are offering trauma-informed interventions to disrupt cycles of violence. The Mayor noted that these investments and more have helped the community see a reduction in shootings, particularly among youth. 

The Mayor shared how the city is expanding economic opportunities to empower underrepresented communities. Programs such as the Women of Color Access to Capital Bootcamp, launched in partnership with the Urban League, aim to support women-minority-owned businesses with the tools necessary to thrive. Another significant program is Cincinnati’s Financial Freedom Blueprint, a comprehensive plan to address the community’s systemic financial barriers. He shared the plan’s impact through the city’s medical debt relief program, which has abolished $47 million in medical debt for over 52,000 residents in two months. 

Mayor Pureval discussed Cincinnati’s efforts to address housing and homelessness challenges, with the goal of ensuring all residents have access to quality, affordable homes in which they can remain. Through the Housing Stability Collaborative, city partners leverage data to intervene early for households at risk of eviction, connecting them with crucial resources. Additional initiatives, such as the Access to Counsel program, provide tenants with legal assistance, help balance the scales against well-resourced landlords, and reduce the trauma of facing eviction alone. From January to September of this year, Cincinnati’s partners have offered rental assistance and free legal support to 542 households, including aiding over 700 children whose families got the support they needed. Further, in the legal support program, in its first month alone, 83% of represented tenants had their evictions dismissed.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here