Mayor Mason Highlights New Housing, Schools, Public Safety in State of City Address

RACINE, Wis. (WRJN) – Racine Mayor Cory Mason used his State of the City address Monday night to both celebrate what he says is progress in Racine and to warn about what he called dangerous policies coming from Washington.

Mason opened with criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, saying cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and clean energy programs will hurt families in Racine and across Wisconsin. He said the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed earlier this year, “robs the weak to fatten the powerful.”

Mason said Racine is seeing record growth. He pointed to new housing developments like the Breakwater Apartments, the Pritchard Park Place project, and the arrival of Woodman’s grocery store. The city added more new construction in 2024 than any year on record, he said.

Schools were another focus. Mason praised Racine Unified School District for renovations funded by a close referendum win in 2020, “There is no way on God’s green earth to rebuild our middle class and enter the next generation of citizens without our schools standing strong and proud.”

He also praised the partnership between RUSD, the city, and Pillar Health to expand medical and behavioral health services, “Pillar Health now operates in the garden level of Julian Thomas School, offering services in both medical and behavioral health.” The clinic will move to the under-construction King Center when it is completed.

On public safety, Mason said gun violence and non-domestic homicides are down. But he noted an increase in domestic-related killings and pledged to double down on prevention. He opposed federal cuts to law enforcement grants and criticized the idea of sending the National Guard into Racine, “…don’t send the National Guard here. We need professionally trained, locally trusted law enforcement officers to reduce crime. Not soldiers from other states, not masked men who don’t know our streets or our people.”

Looking ahead, Mason called passenger rail the “golden ticket” to connect Racine with Milwaukee and Chicago. He said an intergovernmental agreement will allow the city to formally plan the project, which could spur billions in investment.

Mason also highlighted neighborhood programs including lead pipe replacement, home repair grants, and the city’s first “Clean Sweep” campaign to improve blocks house by house. On jobs, he pointed to youth apprenticeships and cadet training programs that have already produced new Racine police officers and firefighters.

The mayor closed by urging Racine to embrace its diversity and prepare for America’s 250th birthday in 2026. “We are the children of immigrants and dreamers,” Mason said.

Watch the full speech here: