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City Government

There are many ways cities are created, and there exists considerable variation in their power and authority. We’ve created these public resources to help enhance understanding of local government.

City Government subtopics:

 

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Cityscape
Cityscape
Report: Mayors Increasingly Focusing on Climate Change,…
Center for City Solutions
WASHINGTON – May 23, 2019 – As federal policymakers struggle to find consensus on many of the toughest challenges facing the country, mayors are focused on grounded solutions to critical national…
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Cityscape
Cityscape
State of the Cities 2019
Center for City Solutions
As Washington talks, mayors take action. With a lack of federal leadership on critical issues like climate change and infrastructure, mayors are increasingly focusing on local solutions that address…
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Congressional City Conference
Congressional City Conference
2,000 City Leaders Convene in Washington for National…
Federal Advocacy
WASHINGTON — March 10 — This week, more than 2,000 mayors, councilmembers and other delegates from cities, towns and villages across the country are convening in Washington for the National League of…

Recent

Legislation Would Allow Tourists to Carry Concealed Weapons in Your City
  • CitiesSpeak

Your state and local laws could be rendered irrelevant when it comes to possessing and carrying a gun.

Consider the following scenario: Tom, who lives in Arizona, plans to take a trip to New York City to see the…

photo - Legislation Would Allow Tourists to Carry Concealed Weapons in Your City
photo - Legislation Would Allow Tourists to Carry Concealed Weapons in Your City
Five Things City Leaders Should Know About the Paris Withdrawal
  • CitiesSpeak

After President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, hundreds of city leaders spoke out to denounce the decision. From New York to Pittsburgh to Dubuque, Iowa,…

photo - Five Things City Leaders Should Know About the Paris Withdrawal
photo - Five Things City Leaders Should Know About the Paris Withdrawal
The Short-term Rental Market Is Booming. Here’s Why Cities Should Regulate It.
  • CitiesSpeak

When drafted and enforced thoughtfully, city ordinances work as intended to regulate Airbnb-style short-term rentals — but state preemption is complicating the issue and presenting a new challenge to local governments.…

photo - The Short-term Rental Market Is Booming. Here’s Why Cities Should Regulate It.
photo - The Short-term Rental Market Is Booming. Here’s Why Cities Should Regulate It.
We Can Help Your City Put Fewer People in Jail
  • CitiesSpeak

Should your city apply for a new technical assistance program to reduce the number of people going to jail? Here are ten questions to guide your decision.

The past two decades’ rapid rise in jail populations has…

photo - We Can Help Your City Put Fewer People in Jail
photo - We Can Help Your City Put Fewer People in Jail
National League of Cities Reveals Top 10 Issues That Matter to Cities in 2017
  • Press Release

Annual “State of the Cities” Report Finds Mayors Expanding Leadership Roles to Fight Attacks on Local Control, Address Top Issues for Cities

WASHINGTON — May 24, 2017 — A comprehensive analysis of mayoral state…

SOTC Banner Image
SOTC Banner Image
State of the Cities 2017
  • Research Report

The State of the City speech is a reflection of the mayor’s priorities as well as the city’s accomplishments, challenges and roadmap for the future.

Watch State of the Cities: The Role of Local Leadership in 2017

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State of the Cities 2017
State of the Cities 2017
One Former Mayor Explains How to Deliver an Effective State of the City Address
  • CitiesSpeak

Former Mayor Mike Nelson reveals how city leaders can make policy problems relevant to their constituents and shares four concrete guidelines local officials can use when preparing a public speech on just about any topic…

photo - One Former Mayor Explains How to Deliver an Effective State of the City Address
photo - One Former Mayor Explains How to Deliver an Effective State of the City Address
Infrastructure, Equity and Leadership: Takeaways From the Inaugural City Council Presidents Convening
  • CitiesSpeak

“We created this convening because we wanted to inspire each other,” said NLC Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “Looking around the room, I’m confident that we did.”

Melissa Mark-Vivitero, speaker of the…

photo - Infrastructure, Equity and Leadership: Takeaways From the Inaugural City Council Presidents Convening
photo - Infrastructure, Equity and Leadership: Takeaways From the Inaugural City Council Presidents Convening
Can Tech and Government Get Along?
  • CitiesSpeak

Innovation does not diminish the need for an effective regulatory framework — but does government have the right strategies and tools to effectively engage a deluge of emerging technologies and citizen entrepreneurs? As…

photo - Can Tech and Government Get Along?
photo - Can Tech and Government Get Along?
State of the Cities:
  • Convening

As the national political landscape undergoes vast shifts, local leaders remain laser focused on the unique needs of their communities. But how have these priorities evolved over time?

Join National League of Cities and mayors from across…

State of the Cities
State of the Cities