Political gridlock at the federal level is a major frustration for America’s mayors, according to Politico Magazine’s first-ever Mayors’ Survey, published this week. Eighty-two percent of mayors participating in the non-scientific survey, which polled 21 municipal leaders (16 Democrats, two Republicans and three non-partisan) in over a dozen states, cited little or no confidence in Washington lawmakers. (The poll included the question, “What about Washington most infuriates you?”)

Despite some conflicting viewpoints regarding President Obama’s efficacy and the role Congress should be playing, votes were unanimous for upgrading funding when it comes to helping cities avoid crises. As mayors did in a more in-depth survey about what keeps them up at night out of Boston University last year, Politico’s polled leaders said that one of their biggest concerns is infrastructure (31 percent). But while that BU study reported mayors putting budgets and economic development right at the top along with bridges and roads, this smaller sample of top execs said “poor education” is the second-biggest challenge facing cities today (21 percent).

Politico also deployed the all-powerful, all-deflecting mayor scenario to ferret out what leaders would do with a wave of the magic wand:

The survey also asked what action would mayors take if they if they had unilateral power and were guaranteed no political fallout? Almost one-third said they would significantly raise the minimum wage, an issue that has become an increasingly potent political debate in cities and states around the country in the last year. Meanwhile, just 16 percent of the mayors said they’d raise taxes if given a chance.

The news outlet also conducted something of a popularity contest — asking city leaders what other mayor they most admired. Philadelphia’s (outgoing) Mayor Michael Nutter topped the list with most mentions.

“He understands the problems faced with being a blue city in a predominantly red state and how to maneuver to get Philadelphia much of the aid they’ve needed. In a short period of time he has risen to national prominence as a dean of American mayors and at the same time stays grounded to everyday issues facing the people of Philadelphia,” said one mayor, according to Politico.