What US Mayors Are Talking About
In mayors’ state-of-the-city speeches, many are emphasizing big plans to spend federal infrastructure funds, and ideas to revitalize downtowns.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, right, emphasized equity in his state-of-the-city speech this year, saying, “It is an increasing priority that economic growth in our city be equitable.” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, left, talked about increasing surveillance in pedestrian areas to prevent crime.
Photographer: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call
The upcoming cash infusion from the federal government for infrastructure development is the most popular mayoral talking point this year, according to an analysis of 60 state-of-the-city speeches by US mayors.
The analysis, from the National League of Cities, looks at mayors’ annual addresses in cities of varying sizes and regions between October 2021 and April 2022 to gauge their priorities — and the issues they deem most important to their residents. The lobbying group found that mayors highlighted fixing roads and bridges, repairing water systems, and closing the digital divide as top priorities for the coming years.