Earlier this year, the National Medal of Honor Museum opened its doors in Arlington, Texas—becoming the nation’s first museum dedicated to all Medal of Honor recipients across every branch of the military. On this episode of The Good Government Show, host Dave Martin sat down with Arlington Mayor Jim Ross to discuss the museum’s impact on the city, what it took to bring the project to Texas, and how it reflects the city’s deep commitment to veterans. With over 3,600 Medal of Honor recipients honored, Ross emphasized the significance of a space where their stories—marked by courage, humility, and patriotism—could finally be told in one place. “Good government,” Ross explained, “means taking care of those who have taken care of us,” and the museum is an embodiment of that belief.
But Arlington isn’t just looking backward—it’s also looking up. Mayor Ross shared the city’s bold transportation plans, including the launch of “air taxis” by next year. These electric, piloted drones will offer aerial rides from Arlington’s airport directly into the entertainment district, bypassing traditional traffic. While the mayor admits they won’t replace road travel, they symbolize the city’s drive to innovate and explore new mobility solutions. Arlington is also piloting autonomous ground vehicles and even exploring gondola systems for mass transit—efforts that have already begun to shape Arlington into a living laboratory for future-focused transportation.
The museum’s educational mission is equally ambitious. Through the Griffin Institute—its onsite learning center—it offers leadership and team-building programs taught by decorated veterans. With backing from partners like the NFL, the museum’s curriculum has reached tens of thousands of classrooms nationwide. The city also benefits directly through new job opportunities: the museum’s recent job fair resulted in a wave of local hires, including many veterans eager to be part of something meaningful. “People just want to be a part of this,” Ross said, noting the museum’s ripple effect across the community.
Beyond veterans and transit, the conversation turned to local government’s nuts-and-bolts—like trash collection. Ross introduced a citywide bin program to replace outdated trash bag pickups. Though the shift ruffled a few feathers at first, it ultimately led to cleaner streets and fewer run-ins with raccoons. “I never realized until I became mayor how important trash is for a community,” Ross joked. He also described a city-led drone delivery program for food-insecure families—serving over 150 households and growing. To Ross, these efforts—both high-tech and humble—demonstrate how local government, when done right, meets people’s real, everyday needs.
Asked to define “good government,” Ross kept it simple: it’s about service, not party politics. He credited his success to listening, acting with integrity, and staying focused on the community rather than partisan bickering. His heroes? Two presidents from opposing parties—Barack Obama and George W. Bush—whom he admires for leading with heart. Ross, a former Marine, police officer, and now steakhouse owner, sees his mayoral work as a way to give back to the community that supported his family and businesses. Whether it’s building museums, launching flying taxis, or taking out the trash, his message is clear: good government starts at ground level—and sometimes takes off from there.