In what Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, called "the most calm adjournment since I have been in the Legislature," the first half of the 26th Legislature came to an end Sunday.

"There were minor blow-ups on specific issues, but they were mostly around issues relating to one or two members and their district needs," Seaton said in a session-wrap-up.

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, also noted the cooperation between members of the Senate and the House. In a letter from his office summarizing the session, Stevens noted "lawmakers ... have chosen to set aside partisan politics to work on the many issues facing the state in a proactive manner."

One issue that attracted attention and debate focused on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, with the state set to receive more than $800 million in federal economic stimulus funds.

"We held numerous discussions on this issue with our congressional delegation, the governor and various federal and state officials," Stevens said. "That dialogue helped lead to passage of legislation that will allow Alaska to benefit from the millions in federal funds for infrastructure, education and public safety, without obligating the state to any unnecessary expenses in the years to come."

Several projects for the southern Kenai Peninsula made it into the capital budget for Fiscal Year 2010:

* Anchor Point water and sewer line extension study, $810,000;

* Homer Spit pathway, $2 million;

* Kachemak Selo water system feasibility study and ground water investigation, $216,000;

* Nanwalek piped water and sewer system replacement, $404,259;

* Seldovia water and sewer pipe replacement and upgrades, $1.1 million;

* Voznesenka water and sewer system improvements, $221,034.

"Obviously, we're very pleased," Homer City Manager Walt Wrede said of the funding for the Spit pathway. "This project has been on the capital improvement list for a long time. The city's been working very, very hard to get funding for this project."

The source of the funding, as it turns out, is cruise ship tax dollars, according to Wrede. The money, combined with money from three other sources, will pay to extend the trail from its current terminus at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon, along the edge of the harbor, safely away from Spit Road, ending at the parking area sandwiched between Land's End Resort and the ferry terminal.

"We'll try to get to construction as soon as we can," Wrede said. "I doubt we can gear up fast enough to do it this year, but next year."

Re-appropriations of money not already spent within a five-year time frame were made for:

* Homer Middle School and McNeil Canyon Elementary School roofing upgrades, $200,000;

* Ohlson Mountain Road maintenance and repair, $40,000;

* Property acquisition and property improvements to Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College-University of Alaska Anchorage, $2.5 million.

"It will go toward developing a plan to possibly construct a building on campus property that we currently have," said Carol Swartz, KBC director, of an effort to combine KBC's east and west campuses. "The intent is to start working on this right away."

Seaton served as chair of the Legislature's first standing committee on education.

On the subject of education, all legislators representing areas of the Kenai Peninsula Borough -- Sen. Tom Wagoner, R-Kenai; House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Kenai; Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage; Rep. Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna; Seaton and Stevens -- fired off a letter to KPB Mayor Dave Carey a day before the session adjourned, urging Carey to fund the KPB school district to the maximum allowed by the state.

"Funding to the cap demonstrates the value the borough places on education and is a commitment the Legislature is likely to look favorably upon when funding decisions are made," the six legislators wrote. "In the past, full funding by the Kenai Peninsula Borough has given us a great tool to use when we compete for education dollars. It places the borough in an improved position to receive funding and signals our strong support of area students."

The letter follows Carey's remarks on a Kenai radio talk show April 1, raising the concerns of school district administrators and school board. The mayor said he would require the district to "use up a significant amount of their 'surplus' funds in addition to tens of millions from the borough taxpayers if the school district wants funding to the level assigned as the cap."

Stevens is scheduled to speak to the Homer Chamber of Commerce at noon Tuesday.

During the interim, Seaton's office can be reached at 235-2921; Stevens' office can be reached at 235-0690.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.