What does a lack of funding from the federal level mean for leaders of cities and towns? In this episode, we look beyond the national politics that are dominating the headlines and dive deeper into the real work of nonpartisan local government with Clarence Anthony, Executive Director of the National League of Cities. A former mayor himself, Clarence talks about the opportunities for strong leadership in cities and towns in this moment, the importance of humanity in public service, the toll of polarization, and what he sees are the most urgent priorities to address.
 

For Further Reading:

Check out Clarence’s podcast with the National League of Cities, CitiesSpeak: https://www.nlc.org/news-insights/citiesspeak-podcast

Learn more about Connect 351, where Clarence will be a keynote speaker: https://www.mma.org/nlcs-clarence-anthony-is-saturday-keynote-for-connect-351

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

As we look into 2026, municipalities across Massachusetts face an onslaught of challenges, from housing affordability to energy costs to maintaining the quality essential services that residents rely on every day. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll highlights what the administration is doing to help communities tackle these issues, the importance of local governments and public service, and the lessons she learned as Mayor of Salem that she uses to inform her leadership today.

 

For Further Reading:

• Lt. Gov. Driscoll reflects on journey from local to state elected office

• Healey-Driscoll Administration Files Municipal Empowerment Bill to Enhance Ability of Local Leaders to Deliver High-Quality Services for Their Communities

• Administration re-files Municipal Empowerment Act

• MMA, local leaders urge legislators to support Municipal Empowerment Act

00:32 Massachusetts: A Historical and Demographic Overview

00:55 Introducing the Lieutenant Governor

01:51 Key Issues Facing Massachusetts

05:39 Municipal Empowerment Act

09:18 State and Local Government Collaboration

10:35 Lieutenant Governor's Reflections on Public Service

13:50 Challenges and Achievements in Local Government

17:11 Federal and State Government Relations

20:40 Co-Leadership in the Healey-Driscoll Administration

23:19 Reflections on Public Service and Future Aspirations

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

A combination of inflation-driven costs, diminishing state support for municipal services, and tight restrictions on local revenue-raising have created a “perfect storm” for local governments in Massachusetts. In this episode, hosts Adam and John talk about the MMA’s ground-breaking “Perfect Storm” report, which examines the fiscal challenges faced by the state’s 351 cities and towns, and the association’s “Navigating the Storm” response. They discuss key findings around the insufficient recovery of local aid post-Great Recession, the unreasonableness of Proposition 2½ in current economic conditions — and potential solutions, particularly the critical need for state reinvestment to support essential local services.

For Further Reading: 

• Navigating the Storm: Charting a Course Toward Fiscal Stability

• MMA offers policy recommendations to address fiscal ‘Perfect Storm’ facing municipalities
 

00:57 The Perfect Storm Report: Background and Process

04:54 Key Findings of the Report

10:25 Impact of Fiscal Challenges on Local Services

13:13 Proposition 2½: Analysis and Recommendations

20:20 State Aid and Financial Recommendations

24:30 The Importance of Local Government Services

28:12 Advocacy and the Road Ahead

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

Leading Massachusetts into the future will take the talent, dedication, and hard work of leaders from all of our 351 cities and towns. Our mission at the Massachusetts Municipal Association is to help those leaders deal with some of the toughest issues in the state. Get a sneak peak of the show, where hosts Adam Chapdelaine, executive director of the MMA, and John Ouellette, communications director at the MMA, speak with the innovators and experts who are leading the Commonwealth forward and working to make it stronger. 

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org