Like siblings, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have long competed for state government's attention, with Pittsburgh often stewing that big brother gets more.

What if they cooperated?

That's the prospect Mayor Luke Ravenstahl brought back from a Tuesday trip to see new Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. The two are "trying to create an East-West agenda," Mr. Ravenstahl said. "We're looking at making a potential trip to Harrisburg in the very near future to walk the halls together and talk about what our needs are."

That may happen as soon as Feb. 5, when both may attend Gov. Ed Rendell's budget address.

The mayors met last year when Mr. Nutter came to Pittsburgh to raise campaign money. They were guests at each other's inaugurations. A political alliance could come next.

"You have the two mayors of the largest cities working on common challenges and agenda items," said Mr. Nutter. "I think that this is a unique opportunity for both of us."

The state's two largest cities have been allies of convenience when both needed stadium funding, transportation dollars or first dibs on the gambling-related development kitty. If they haven't joined hands on a broader agenda, it may be because neither truly understands the other.

"Pittsburgh is a foreign country to us in Philadelphia, and I know most of Pittsburgh thinks of Philadelphia as the place their tax dollars go to die," said Rep. Michael McGeehan, D-Philadelphia. Both cities face public safety, job creation and fiscal challenges, he noted. "We have more in common than what separates us, and I'm glad both mayors realize that."

Mr. Ravenstahl said an agenda item is reform of the municipal pension system. Pittsburgh's pension fund is a half-billion dollars short of ideal levels. A report released yesterday by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia found that Philadelphia's pension and health care costs could pass $1 billion, or 28 percent of the budget, by 2012.

Mr. Ravenstahl has brought together mayors of midsized cities to start crafting a pension fix. Adding Philadelphia would boost the urban alliance's clout.

Mr. Nutter hopes the state will match a tax credit Philadelphia gives to businesses that hire ex-offenders. He said Mr. Ravenstahl could help make that happen.

"He's got access to representatives and senators" that might not listen to Philadelphia's mayor, said Mr. Nutter. "Before you know it, you're putting a coalition together."

Pittsburgh has three state senators and eight representatives. Seven senators and 26 representatives claim parts of Philadelphia.

"Philadelphia doesn't get what it wants from Harrisburg without forming coalitions with lawmakers from other regions," said Gary Tuma, spokesman for Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia. Pittsburgh is a logical partner.

An alliance driven by mayors "is something that I have not seen," said state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills. "It's important that we hitch up with Philadelphia, and Philadelphia hitches up with us."