A national poll released earlier this month revealed how exhausted Americans are over the divisive nature of our current political discourse. They are frustrated with our nations’ leaders’ inability to engage in the constructive conversation needed to move important issues forward. They are looking for greater collaboration and tangible, thoughtful outcomes.

Despite federal leaders’ failure to deliver, we don’t have to feel hopeless. At the municipal level, we’ve made great progress this year. Mayors know that everyone does better when we put politics aside, roll up our sleeves and get things done. As the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I’ve seen firsthand the innovative programs mayors across the country implemented in 2019.

Take gun safety, for example. In 2019, we saw more mass shootings than there were days in the year. That’s why nearly 300 mayors sent a letter to Senate leadership asking them to pass bipartisan legislation that would establish universal background checks to cover all firearms purchases. A number of mayors also met with White House leadership and key senators on the day Congress returned from the summer recess to urge passage of the sensible legislation that is supported by more than 90 percent of Americans and will in no way compromise gun owners’ rights.

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In the absence of federal action, mayors are finding creative solutions to address the problem. In Cincinnati, Ohio, Mayor John Cranley is leading an effort to encourage the use of “smart gun” technology, such as fingerprint scanners that ensure only the owner of a weapon is able to pull its trigger. Working with other mayors, he is also establishing a Smart Gun Buying Consortium that will give cities increased market leverage to motivate the gun industry to produce and sell smart guns. Police officers will test the products and collaborate with manufacturers to improve the technology over time.

Mayors, along with city and county public health departments, are also continuing to take action to address our nation’s opioid crisis. For example, Boston has enhanced access to recovery support services for residents. Chicago launched a multi-agency initiative to boost substance use treatment, preventive services, recovery support, overdose prevention, job training, employment and other resources for some of their most vulnerable residents. And Seattle expanded medication assisted treatment in residential and inpatient settings.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt is among many mayors across the country who are leading in the development of Opportunity Zones, created to elevate economic growth and job creation in distressed communities throughout the country. Holt and his team created a prospectus identifying opportunities in his community, a document that is already paying off with the announcement of the development of a supermarket in a long-time food desert.

It's easy to become disheartened by the apparent lack of progress on major issues when you turn on the TV or go online at the end of the day, but for every community that is struggling to feed their most vulnerable, there is a mayor fighting to provide food security; for every community striving to offer the best possible career opportunities for its residents, there’s a mayor working to bring businesses and job training programs to their city; and for every community crying out for action to make them safer from gun violence, there is a mayor demanding change.

Local leaders may not always make headlines. But in 2019, it was mayors who were putting politics aside and getting things done. As we head into the next decade, Congress would do well to look to mayors and their cities for solutions – and for a lesson on what can be accomplished if we move past partisan fights and focus on taking the actions needed to improve the lives of all of our nation’s residents.

Bryan K. Barnett is president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and mayor of Rochester Hills, Mich.