20th Anniversary
CEO’s note: Reflecting on 20 years of City & State
GovExec’s Tim Hartman writes about bringing the Washington, D.C., coverage model to the state and local levels.
GovExec CEO Tim Hartman salutes City & State’s hardworking journalists. Liz Lynch
Twenty years ago, City & State set out with a simple but ambitious idea: state and local government deserves the same rigorous, dedicated coverage as Washington, D.C. Two decades later, that idea has become something I couldn’t be prouder of.
Anniversaries like this are a chance to look back, and there’s a lot worth celebrating – award-winning journalism, sharp analysis that shapes real decisions, and a community of readers and partners who’ve stuck with us because they know City & State gets it right. But what makes City & State special is our people. Dedicated journalists, editors, designers and more are committed to serving their communities, holding decision-makers accountable and telling the stories that matter in state and local government. Some have been with us for a while, some joined more recently, and some have made their mark and moved on – but all have helped build something that didn’t exist before we came along.
I am so proud of what this team has built. From our earliest days covering New York politics to becoming the essential voice for state and local government across the country, City & State has never lost sight of our mission. And our mission has never been more important. Along the way, we’ve expanded into new markets, launched new franchises and events, and built a newsroom that state and local leaders turn to first, because we kept doing the work that earned that trust. At a moment when state and local governments are taking on more responsibility than ever, the need for clear-eyed, independent journalism in this space has only grown.
I want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey – the reporters and editors who’ve shaped the brand’s voice, the sales and events teams who’ve helped it grow, and most of all, the readers and sources who’ve trusted City & State along the way. Whether you’ve been reading us since year one or discovered us along the way, this milestone belongs to all of you. Thank you for putting your faith in us, and we’ll continue to work every day to deserve it.