Birmingham is undoubtedly facing a number of complex challenges. Poverty and crime are too high. Education must improve. Population and job growth has lagged behind other major Southeastern cities. Key gaps in the workforce must be addressed. But, from our perspective, the most pressing issue in this year’s mayor’s race is not listed above. Instead, it’s regional cooperation, both within the broader metro and within the city of Birmingham itself. The reasons why are numerous, but the primary…