Noting the state's fiscal troubles, Annapolis Mayor Ellen O. Moyer said she will seek state funding this year for only two items: renovation of the city's police headquarters and construction of a new building for Maryland Natural Resources Police downtown.

"We're looking for these two public safety items," Moyer said in outlining her legislative priorities for the coming General Assembly session. "This will be the year we will be belt-tightening. I don't think we can go to the legislature and ask for other things."

Moyer said she would like to see the state chip in half of the estimated $6 million cost of the police headquarters expansion.

The 30-year-old building on Taylor Avenue was designed to accommodate 70 employees. More than double that number work there, and more space-consuming technology is used than when the facility was built, Moyer said. The department uses two portable trailers on the site for extra space.

"The facility needs to be upgraded," Moyer said.

She also wants the state to come through on a pledge to build the new facility for the Natural Resources Police at the Annapolis harbor, which would allow the dozen officers assigned there to work out of the same building. The state funded the design of the $1.5 million project this year, Moyer said.

Moyer said that security concerns after the terrorist attacks Sept. 11 last year "escalated the need for harbor protection" because of the state offices and the Naval Academy, she said.

Moyer also has begun to lobby legislators about other, nonmonetary issues of interest to the city.

Drug abuse concerns

In a letter to the 30th District delegation last week, Moyer highlighted the need for mandatory drug treatment programs to help deal with drug addiction and related problems in the city and beyond.

"Addiction, and the abuse, neglect and crime associated with it, will continue to escalate if we cannot provide effective substance abuse programs," she wrote in a letter dated Dec. 17.

She also suggested the state look into regulating increases in health insurance premiums. She said the city absorbed an 18.5 percent premium increase in health insurance for its employees this year - for a total cost increase of $800,000 - and expects a 20 percent increase next year.

"If this practice continues unchecked, insurance premiums will encumber much of a budget that should go to performing public services," she wrote.

Political questions

Although Moyer campaigned aggressively for Democratic candidates in the recent election - even establishing a local political action committee - she said she does not believe that will affect the city's chances of winning help and support from Republican Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

"There are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies in politics," Moyer said.

That sentiment also goes for the newest member of the 30th District state delegation - Moyer's past political rival, Del.-elect Herbert H. McMillan, a former city alderman who was the Republican nominee for mayor last year.

McMillan said he had not received a letter or other information from Moyer about her funding or legislative requests and looked forward to seeing them.

"From what I've heard from the media, I think it is appropriate that Mayor Moyer is going to keep her two specific funding requests highly focused," he said. "I haven't seen the specifics of what she is proposing ... but I am sure we will do our best to fund all legitimate requests."

He added that drug addiction counseling also is an area of concern for him and, he believes, for the incoming governor.

"Hopefully, we can make progress in that area," he said.

So far, for fiscal year 2003, the city has received commitments for federal, state and local aid of $10.3 million, said the city's finance director, Tim Elliott.

In fiscal 2002, the city received $4.5 million from the state, including funding for operating expenses and capital projects, he said.