A mayor is a local politician who oversees the operations of a city, town or village. Typically, they are elected by the citizens of their municipality for a fixed tenure and deliver a State of the City speech each year to share the administration’s accomplishments and vision for the future.
In this year’s State of the City speeches, mayors emphasized their plans to help residents rise to the challenge of a federal government that’s attacking their sources of strength: public servants and veterans; immigrants and marginalized communities; institutions that conduct groundbreaking research and provide lifesaving care. In addition, mayors continue to focus on improving civic engagement and supporting programs to address social issues like childhood trauma and chronic absenteeism.
This year, more than half of the speeches featured significant coverage of education, and 17 percent mentioned opportunity zones. These efforts are important, as mayors recognize that a community’s ability to thrive depends on the quality of its schools. In 2019, some mayors focused on ways to boost high school graduation rates, and others announced new school programs to help students overcome barriers to success.
In many cities, new mobility services such as dockless bikes and scooters are reshaping the way people move around. Some mayors are discussing how these innovations can enhance citywide connectivity, while others are addressing safety concerns. Whether highlighting progress in reducing air pollution or announcing upcoming work to improve city infrastructure, these initiatives are helping residents live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.
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