As we begin the new year, we enter another busy legislative session here in Georgia and recognize the start of a new administration in Washington. Both here at home and in D.C., 2025 will be filled with challenges, opportunities, and the need for strong advocacy. Whether we’re addressing infrastructure funding, public safety, housing, or economic development, one truth remains constant: GMA’s mission to advocate for the needs of Georgia’s cities is as vital as ever. 

This advocacy requires not just the efforts of GMA staff, but the active involvement of city officials. It is through your voices, your stories, and your presence that the vital role of cities is best demonstrated. 

The work ahead of us this year spans both the state and federal arenas. At the state level, our Legislative Policy Council has been shaping priorities that include improving transportation funding, addressing tort liability concerns, reforming annexation arbitration, and supporting legislation that keeps local decision-making in the hands of those who know their communities best. Federal efforts, guided by our Federal Policy Council, focus on preserving critical tools like municipal bonds, maintaining programs like CDBG, and addressing railway safety and federal rulemaking that impact city operations. 

This work is not just about addressing challenges; it aims to strengthen our cities, enhance their resilience, and prepare them for the future. Whether advocating for additional funding to meet the increasing costs of local road projects or leveraging innovative tools and strategies to improve local infrastructure and services, GMA is working to ensure that cities remain the backbone of Georgia’s success. 

But we can’t do it alone. Just as the strength of our cities lies in the partnerships between residents, businesses, and local government, the success of GMA’s advocacy efforts depends on the collaboration of elected officials and city staff across the state. When you reach out to your state legislators, host a Hometown Connection event, or engage with your Congressional delegation, you amplify the voice of Georgia’s cities and help ensure our priorities are heard. 

We also know that the best solutions come from collaboration and bipartisanship. GMA’s long-standing commitment to bipartisan collaboration—at both the state and federal levels—demonstrates that the needs of cities transcend partisan divides. Whether it’s securing funding for capital improvements, addressing housing affordability, or providing robust economic development opportunities, our focus remains on what’s best for Georgia’s communities. 

As we move into 2025, I encourage you to stay engaged, stay informed, and stay active. Your voice matters—together, we can make a difference for our cities and all Georgians. The year ahead is full of possibilities, and I look forward to the strides we will make together. 

Thank you for your commitment to your cities and for your partnership with GMA. Here’s to a successful Georgia legislative session, continued focus on federal challenges and opportunities, and a brighter future for Georgia’s cities.