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Lawmakers could face a second round of vetoes, Gov. Sarah Palin said Thursday, if they don't justify $70 million worth of previously vetoed projects they put in the supplemental budget.

Specifically, Palin said she wants to know why lawmakers believe these projects must be funded immediately.

For instance, she wants to know why a batting cage or a gun range is so important that it has to be funded this year rather the next fiscal next year, which begins July 1.

"Before vetoes are made again, come tell us why it's so doggone important that we spend the money right now, today, in a supplemental to get these projects done," Palin said.

"Whether we are talking about a budget that's $70,000 or in this case $70 million, spending other people's money is a responsibility that I take very seriously."

Palin and lawmakers have been at odds over the placement of the projects in a bill that is traditionally reserved for spending shortfalls for the current year's budget.

"We've been quite bold in letting folks know we do not believe the supplemental is an appropriate place to put capital projects," Palin said.

But Palin too has her own projects in the supplemental budget that lawmakers agreed to include, and, in turn, believe their requests deserve her approval.

Palin says her administration has accounted for those ongoing projects, such as airport runway upgrades in Petersburg, environmental studies in Unalaska and drainage work to protect homes in Ketchikan.

She simply wants the same accountability from lawmakers asking for their own capital projects in the supplemental budget.

"As they are scrutinizing our projects, we are explaining to them also about some of the unforeseen circumstances and some of the timeliness that necessitated putting capital projects in there," Palin said.

"We haven't shied away from those specific explanations for each project being in there," she said. "That's what we have to have happen with the lawmakers, the opportunity given to them to explain their priorities."

Palin's formal invitation to lawmakers went out Wednesday in a letter calling for what she called open dialogue.

Palin clarified that the lawmakers' projects won't summarily get rejected if the members or their staff do not report to her office.

"I think it's the fair way to do this," she said. "The project should be able to stand on its merit not matter who is promoting it."

Rep. Kevin Meyer, an Anchorage Republican who serves as the House Finance co-chairman, said he likes the idea.

"I appreciate having the opportunity to explain it," Meyer said. "That was part of my beef or gripe last summer during vetoes. We spent a lot of time putting that capital budget together.

"Then for her to just veto all of them without at least getting back to me or individual legislators who submitted it. ... At least now we have an opportunity to make our case."