2018 State of the Cities Report from NLC: Economic Growth, Infrastructure Top Issues for American Mayors
The National League of Cities (NLC) released its 2018 State of the Cities report to city leaders and policy experts. The report shows that economic development, infrastructure, budgets, housing and public safety continue to top the list of agenda priorities for U.S. mayors, as well as revealing that opioids, broadband access and climate change have emerged as new and growing concerns.
Now in its fifth year, NLC’s annual report analyzes key issues and trends in the state of the city (SOTC) speeches mayors deliver each year to outline their top priorities. This year’s report examined 160 mayoral speeches delivered between January and April 2018 and includes cities across population sizes and geographic regions.
1. Economic development 58% 2. Infrastructure 56% 3. Budgets and Management 49% 4. Housing 39% 5. Public Safety 36%
Top 10 SOTC Issues in 2018
6. Health and Human Services 34% 7. Education 28% 8. Energy and the Environment 25% 9. Government Data and Technology 14% 10. Demographics 12%
While the major topics in SOTC speeches have remained relatively consistent for the past five years, subtopics in this year’s report revealed several new trends. Mounting concern over broadband access was expressed in 14 percent of SOTC addresses, and 11 of mayors highlighted the need for cities to address the opioid epidemic. . 24
SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
