The Ohio Mayors Alliance

Overview

The Ohio Mayors Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of mayors from Ohio's largest urban and suburban communities. Formed in 2016, the organization aims to strengthen Ohio's cities and metropolitan regions through collaboration, improved advocacy, and stronger partnerships with state and federal policymakers.

Mission

The alliance's mission is to promote policies that enhance the quality of life for Ohioans by fostering economic vibrancy, ensuring fiscal health, and advancing local self-governance. It focuses on bridging gaps between communities and leaders to create a cohesive approach to governance.

Principles

The organization is guided by three core principles:

• Promotion of bipartisan solutions: Encouraging collaboration across party lines to address statewide challenges.
• Preservation of local self-governance: Supporting and advancing innovative local solutions while preserving home rule.
• Protection of fiscal health: Ensuring the financial stability of Ohio cities and promoting economic development.

Policy Areas

The Ohio Mayors Alliance engages in advocacy across eight key policy areas:

• Economic Development and Fiscal Stability for Cities
• Local Self-Governance and the Right to Home Rule
• Public Safety and Effective Policing Practices
• Affordable, Accessible, and Quality Housing
• Water, Transportation, and Digital Infrastructure
• Education, Civic Learning, and Workforce Development
• Public Health and Addiction Prevention
• Sustainable and Climate Resilient Cities

Structure

The alliance is structured to ensure bipartisanship and representation from various city sizes. The board includes mayors from both major political parties and encompasses both larger cities and smaller ones with populations under 80,000. Prominent members include mayors from Cleveland, Fairfield, Findlay, Kettering, Lima, Parma, and Youngstown.

Leadership

Keary McCarthy serves as the Executive Director, having helped establish the organization in 2016. Prior to this role, McCarthy held positions in government and policy, including work with Innovation Ohio and the Ohio House of Representatives. Other key staff members include a Policy Director and a Statehouse Advocate.

Events and Activities

The Ohio Mayors Alliance hosts various events throughout the year, including Annual Membership Meetings, Mayors & Lawmakers Luncheons, and regional gatherings. These events facilitate the sharing of best practices and foster collaboration among city leaders and state lawmakers. The organization also supports sponsorship opportunities to continue its mission of building strong, collaborative leadership in Ohio.