Under President-elect Donald Trump, Republicans have reclaimed the mantle of the “party of ideas.” Under his next administration, Republicans will have an opportunity to reclaim the agenda of urban America and revitalize its cities.
As the chairman of the Republican Mayors Association and the mayor of Dallas, I have seen that conservative ideas work in cities. Since I took office, I have governed as a conservative — even before I joined the Republican Party in 2023. The result: Violent crime, homelessness, and tax rates are down. Meanwhile, park development, corporate relocations, and economic opportunities are up.
As an African American and the product of inner-city neighborhoods, I know that while Democrats often had our community’s votes, they didn’t have our hearts and minds. Simply put, voters are increasingly tired of governance from lazy liberals and keyboard warriors. Downtowns have become havens for crime, disorder, and homelessness. “Progressive” policies have overburdened builders, businesses, and innovators. And lackluster education, skyrocketing prices, and high taxes force families into U-Hauls and out of urban neighborhoods.
As a result, Trump made significant inroads in urban communities such as Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Miami. More than anything, these voters want to see results, and Republicans can offer real solutions. Here are five ideas for a new agenda for America’s cities.
1. Make public safety a priority again
In addition to fighting the “defund the police” movement and winning increased police funding in Dallas, I also demanded a violent crime reduction plan. We developed one, and it has worked brilliantly.
The Trump administration can pressure local leaders to prioritize citizens’ safety by requiring cities seeking federal grants to adopt and fund crime-reduction plans. The same philosophy could halt federal support for counties with lax bail policies that allow criminals to terrorize neighborhoods while awaiting trial.
Federal funding is an investment. This approach would ensure that these investments are sound.
2. Make cities economically vibrant again
Central business districts have been hit hard by COVID-19 as office space demands shrunk. Incentivizing businesses to get workers back to the office could unleash the American economy again. This will also mean more opportunities for nearby businesses, such as restaurants, retail, and hotels.
The Trump administration can also provide cities and property owners with technical and legal support to rid downtowns of homeless encampments.
Congress would also be foolish not to renew and expand Trump’s incredible Opportunity Zones program to encourage even more major investment in economically distressed areas.
3. Make housing affordable again
Here’s how affordable housing conversations play out in big cities: City councils wring their hands about housing shortages and rising costs and then support ordinances and regulatory hurdles that make it harder to build more housing. Meanwhile, Democrats’ support for wide-open borders has increased housing demand and driven up costs.
Something has to give. The Left has made it far too difficult to build in America, which has hurt our cities, our families, and our workers. Thankfully, the Trump administration has committed to strong border enforcement and to reducing burdensome regulations. The administration also has the ability to convene the nation’s best builders to develop ideas for increasing supply.
4. Make education a choice again
As a child, I attended a prestigious preparatory school in Dallas with the help of a special scholarship opportunity. Other families should have that option, too. School choice helps families in urban neighborhoods, and the federal government can help support them through block grants to states.
We can also encourage trade-focused programs that allow children to enter into well-paying career paths that require expertise and skill, but not a college degree.
5. Make parks accessible again
Great cities have great parks. In urban areas, especially, parks are a godsend to working-class folks who don’t have country club or gym memberships. Parks and recreation centers are places where families like mine can relax, exercise, and have fun.
Parks also bring people together and drive economic activity. Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, for example, has driven surrounding development, generating about $2.5 billion in economic impact.
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But not every new park must be a showstopper. Many cities are sitting on taxpayer-owned parcels of land that could become small parks. The Trump administration could provide small grants to cities and nonprofits to assess how to turn city-owned land into parks — as long as those cities put public safety first.
These ideas are just a starting place. But it’s clear that urban voters yearn for solutions that will help make their cities more affordable, safer, and stronger. Republicans can offer common-sense, idea-driven conservative leadership at every level to build a coalition of urban voters the likes of which we have never seen. This will not only make our cities livable again — it will make them great again.
Eric Johnson is the 60th mayor of Dallas.