THERE'S NO glossing over Baltimore's power outage in Annapolis. Population loss, retirement and election losses dealt body blows to a poor city.
But, if only for political reasons, Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. should be well-disposed to the city's needs. As someone who thinks of himself as very nearly Baltimore born and bred (he's actually from Arbutus), he made special and persistent overtures to city voters, promising "every effort" to maintain Baltimore as a cultural and employment center.
His aides say he will turn immediately to the need for a more effective campaign against the drug epidemic here. An advocate of the anti-gun-violence program Project Exile, Mr. Ehrlich has begun to recruit support among judges for a Maryland version of that effort.
If he follows through, the new governor will find enthusiastic support from Mayor Martin O'Malley, whose effort to combat drug crime needs all the support it can get. The concept of exile calls for swift, sure punishment so that witnesses can testify without fear that violent offenders will be back in their midst and eager for revenge.
Big-money social programs may be hard to come by for any county or city in Maryland, given the state's budget deficit, but more help with drug addiction would support the enforcement side of the equation.
Lt. Gov.-elect Michael S. Steele must also be an advocate for the city. Both men should be eager to show African-American voters that electing Republicans will not be a death knell in terms of economic aid.
While the new administration must prove itself to city voters, Baltimoreans can take some solace in the continued service of well-positioned and well-respected legislators.
Del. Howard "Pete" Rawlings is slated to resume his role as chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He had a strong claim on the House speaker's chair, but withdrew this week in deference to Del. Michael E. Busch of Anne Arundel, who lined up the votes he'll need to assume that powerful post. The superbly qualified and affable Mr. Busch had been the front-runner for some time. A consensus-building Democrat, his carefully crafted prescription drug program for senior citizens suggests that he will advocate the sort of social programs Baltimore needs - and that he has the skills to see them enacted.
The current speaker, Del. Casper R. Taylor Jr., awaits the outcome of a recount in his apparent losing fight for re-election. Though many throughout Maryland would miss his visionary leadership, few expect him to prevail. Mr. Taylor's advocacy of a "One Maryland" approach to legislating - an approach focused on the needs of poorer regions of the state - made him a good friend of the city as well as of his home district in Allegany County.
The city is fortunate also to have Del. Maggie L. McIntosh back in office. She won re-election in an almost entirely new district and seems likely to remain Democratic majority leader.
Finally, the city still has special representation on the Board of Public Works: state Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, the former mayor, has some familiarity with the city's needs - and has a close relationship with the governor-elect. Mr. Ehrlich would do well to follow not just his advice, but his example.