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The $2.9 billion state capital budget adopted by the Legislature on Sunday included more than $120 million for the Kenai Peninsula's three legislative districts, provided, that is, they can skate by Gov. Sarah Palin's veto pen.

Both houses of the 25th Legislature ended the 90-day session about midday Sunday after approving the capital spending plan and an $11 billion operating budget that included salting away $5 billion in the state's rainy-day accounts.

Also adopted was a $315 million transportation bond package that included another $8 million for peninsula roads. Funding for those projects depends now on voter approval of the bond measure in November.

Peninsula projects funded in the new budget were all worthy of the appropriations they got, Rep. Kurt Olson said Monday morning. But, he said, "The budget is bloated."

"We've undoubtedly set a record on spending, but we did on savings, too," he said.

Olson said he's worried about overheating the economy by dumping all the capital projects into the economy in one year. It might have been better to spread the spending over two or three years, he said.

"There's too much on the table for local companies to handle," he said.

The pool of Alaska-based contractors is likely to be employed before the list is complete, meaning many projects could go to Outside companies, he said.

A host of FY 2009 capital appropriations went to roads, schools, public works and other projects in the central peninsula.

Money coming through the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will help pay for the Holt-Lamplight Road Project ($8.3 million), the Kalifornsky Beach Road Project including a pedestrian path ($1.1 million), various Kenai Peninsula Borough roads ($2 million), Sterling Highway lighting ($324,000), and $7 million for Tustumena Lake, Crooked Creek and Johnson Lake roads paving.

Projects funded through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development include:

* Kasilof Regional Historical Association Inc.'s McLane Center and Museum Renovation, $70,000

* Kenai Peninsula Food Bank building maintenance, $22,500;

* Nikishka Bay Utilities Inc. water system upgrade, $420,000;

* Ninilchik water system development, $100,000;

* Ninilchik Senior Citizens senior center upgrade, $22,500;

* Nikiski Senior Service Area equipment purchase, $10,000;

* Soldotna Area Senior Citizens Inc. ADA carports, $102,000;

* Soldotna Area Senior Citizens Inc. ADA walkway, 67,000;

* Sterling Area Senior Citizens Inc. multi-use facility, $300,000;

* City of Kenai public improvements, $1 million;

* Central Emergency Service Area static water supply, $750,000;

* CPGH Serenity House expansion, $300,000;

* Kenai Peninsula Borough junk car removal, $400,000;

* Kenai Peninsula Borough: Nikiski Community Recreation Center modifications, $475,000;

* Kenai Peninsula Borough: Nikiski Fire signage, Stations 1 and 2, $55,000;

* Kenai Peninsula Borough: Nikiski Fire Service Area fire engines, $550,000;

* Kenai Peninsula Borough: Nikiski Fire Service Station 2, $4.5 million;

* Kenai Peninsula Road Improvements, $8.4 million;

* Soldotna Roads, water and sewer projects, $1.1 million;

* Kasilof-Cohoe Cemetery Columbarium, $70,000; and

* Wildwood Correctional Center Project, $85,000.

A few other projects were funded through the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, including $200,000 for a Kenai River public use study, and $300,000 for the Nikiski Inlet Public Viewing Park/Beach Access project.

On the southern and eastern ends of the peninsula, House District 35, represented by Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, and Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, fared well, too.

Among the appropriations were funds for several projects at the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in Seward, including $8.7 million to replace the culinary building, $3.45 million for a Maritime Safety Training Facility, $1.73 million for deferred maintenance, $400,000 for a student database system, and $100,000 for a student records archival system.

Also headed Seward's way is $4.5 million for dredging, $2 million for back-up generators, $1.75 million for road and levee construction, $1.2 million for Spring Creek Correction Center, $1 million for the Jesse Lee Home stabilization project, $400,000 for Seward Long-Term Care Center construction, $200,000 for a Alaska Marine Highway warehouse, $195,000 for a Seward waterfront pavilion, and more.

The budget included even more projects in the Homer-Kachemak Bay region. Here are some of the larger appropriations:

Homer Electric Association will get $12.5 million to upgrade distribution and transmission, as well as $1.1 million to replace a south bay cable, and $250,000 for hazardous tree removal.

Elsewhere, $6 million will go toward rebuilding nearly nine miles of East End Road. Meanwhile, water and sewer design and construction projects in Seldovia, Nanwalek and Voznesenka will get $3.2 million, $758,000 and $640,000 respectively. Seldovia also is in line for $235,000 in EPA matching funds for its project.

Homer will receive $2 million to rebuild an intersection on Main Street, $1.73 million to upgrade its water plant, and $150,000 to complete the Homer Spit Trail project.

Smaller project include:

* $89,000 for improvements to Ohlson Mountain ski hill;

* $50,000 to Homer Senior Citizens senior housing land purchase;

* $50,000 for road improvements to access Voznesenka and Kachemak Selo;

* $50,000 for Kachemak Bay Campus pre-corrections officer orientation and preparation training;

* $50,000 for Kachemak Emergency Services Area personal protection equipment; and

* Kenai Peninsula Borough: Diagnostic Hospital Equipment (South Peninsula Hospital), $26,500.

Olson said many lawmakers were happy to be heading home after the quick 90-day session, but he also said the shortened session had a downside ? too many bills went to the floor without any or with only minimal committee work, he said.

"The public lost the opportunity to have input into a lot of bills," he said

Lawmakers will be back in June, if not sooner. Gov. Sarah Palin has scheduled a special session beginning June.

For a more complete list of projects, contact your legislator's office, or visit the Legislative Finance Division Web site.

Hal Spence can be reached at hspence@ptialaska.net.