A mayor is a municipal leader elected to lead a city, town or village. They are often styled “His or Her Honor” and may be called a chief executive, but the specific role varies from country to country. Many mayors give annual State of the City speeches that highlight their accomplishments and priorities.
While e-scooters and marijuana might be the top concerns for many local government leaders, there are plenty of other issues that cities are dealing with. From addressing blight and poverty to building an innovative economy, mayors are talking about the challenges facing their communities.
Many mayors are encouraging civic engagement with their residents by promoting opportunities to impact the city’s future and increasing community outreach. These efforts are paying off: In 2019, 19 percent of all speeches featured significant coverage of the community outreach subtopic.
Several mayors have been addressing issues related to blight and housing, including rehabilitating or demolishing vacant or abandoned properties in neighborhoods that are experiencing economic challenges. In some cases, these actions are helping to reduce the city’s homeless population and provide affordable housing options for residents.
In addition to addressing the needs of their community, mayors are continuing to voice their frustration with the relationship between local and upper levels of government, citing concerns such as state overreach and fiscal constraints. This trend is reflected in the continued prominence of the intergovernmental relations subtopic, which was mentioned in 55 percent of all speeches in 2019. In addition, 41 percent of those speeches also discussed budgets and management.