Mayors across the country give State of the City speeches that, much like the national President’s annual address, outline their priorities for the year. While there are a number of different types of outlines, mayor speeches generally follow a standard format: Main points are labeled with Roman numerals (I, II, III) while supporting material is marked by capital letters or Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, etc). In addition to listing main ideas, the preparation outline should also contain a bibliography that lists any outside resources you used for your presentation. Your instructor will determine how many citations you need and what referencing style to use.
In 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, Manhattan to deliver his fourth State of the City speech. He focused on making the city safer, more affordable and better for families in all five boroughs. Highlights included lowering crime, promoting economic opportunities and enhancing child development initiatives.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell addressed the Metro Council in his third State of Metro speech on Dec. 2, delivering an aspirational vision for quality schools, safe neighborhoods and reliable government. The speech was synchronized with his budget proposal, which includes a property tax increase for Nashvillians.
Mayors are increasingly discussing public safety issues, including the importance of building trust with residents. They’re also highlighting school programs that aim to improve student outcomes, such as addressing childhood trauma and increasing graduation rates. Lastly, more mayors are discussing how they’re using opportunity zones to foster economic growth in their cities.