A mayor is the leader of a municipal government. In some systems of government, such as a council-manager arrangement, the mayor has an executive role that includes being the chairman of the municipal council executive committee and serving as the local agent of the central government. In other governments, such as a parliamentary system, the mayor may be a ceremonial figurehead and play a limited role in local politics.
E-scooters and social media: Mayors have been addressing the growing use of electric scooters and bikes in their cities, calling for safe riding policies, encouraging ridesharing and highlighting innovative transportation solutions. This trend appeared in six speeches in 2019 and grew by more than 200 percent from 2018.
School outcomes: More mayors are discussing plans to achieve higher high school graduation rates, increasing parental involvement and supporting programs for childhood trauma. This topic was mentioned in seven speeches in 2019, a rise of more than 250 percent.
Recreational marijuana: Cities are allowing the sale of cannabis at bars and cafes, with some cities also anticipating significant tax revenue and diminished illegal underground economies. This topic was mentioned in seven speeches in 2019 and saw a growth of more than 267 percent from 2018.
Economic development: Some mayors are discussing opportunity zones, describing their potential impact on local businesses. This topic was mentioned in 20 speeches in 2019 and grew by more than 1900 percent from 2018.