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Metro Majority: Local America

09
Thursday June 2022

National politics make headlines, but local governments remain the authors of the American project. Mayors, councilmembers, school boards—they all govern where we live, work, and raise our kids. Given our pandemic experience, such local offices arguably matter more than ever to our lives and to those of the next generation.

Through the Local America conference hosted at Pepperdine University, the Manhattan Institute will look at the challenges facing America’s communities—from high costs to rising crime and classroom controversies—to find solutions that will strengthen the local attachments that bind our nation together.

We will discuss the proper role of local governments in the American project, how they can best serve their residents, and what we can learn in tackling today’s top issues. And most importantly, we will hear directly from America’s (and California’s) top local leaders, who will also have the chance to learn from one another.

The conference is part of MI’s new Metropolitan Majority project, the goal of which is to share the best policy solutions to problems in metros across the country, celebrate the successes of effective municipal leaders nationally, and give voice to the pragmatic mainstream of Americans. Join us for this front-row look at how local leads America.

AGENDA:

9:30 AM – REGISTRATION

10:00 AM – WELCOME REMARKS
Pete Peterson, Pepperdine University

10:20 AM – KEYNOTE: “THE SURVIVAL OF CITIES”
Edward Glaeser, Harvard University

11:00 AM – PANEL: WHAT IT TAKES TO LEAD LOCALLY TODAY
Fmr. Mayor Kevin Faulconer, City of San Diego
Mayor Kevin Lincoln, City of Stockton
2020 Mayor Will O’Neill, City of Newport Beach
Moderated by: Michael Hendrix, Manhattan Institute

12:00 PM – LUNCH

12:30 PM – LUNCHEON KEYNOTE
Mayor Eric Johnson, City of Dallas

1:30 PM – KEYNOTE: LEADING FROM THE BOTTOM-UP
Charles Marohn, Strong Towns

2:30 PM – PANEL: NEW MODELS FOR URBAN GOVERNANCE
Greg Brooks, Co-founder and President, Better Cities Project
Fmr. Mayor Mick Cornett, Oklahoma City
Fmr. Mayor Tom Tait, City of Anaheim
Moderated by: Michael Hendrix, Manhattan Institute

3:30 PM – PANEL: THE (NEW) CALIFORNIA MODEL FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Mari Barke, Orange County Department of Education
Fmr. Mayor Kevin Faulconer, City of San Diego
Will Swaim, California Policy Center
Moderated by: Pete Peterson, Pepperdine University