The Camden neighborhoods specifically benefited from the 2010 Minnesota legislative session.
I'm proud to announce that the new Lowry Avenue bridge project received $7 million of the $66 million bridge package in our bonding bill. The bonding bill also included $2 million for Minneapolis veterans' memorials, and the Victory Memorial Parkway will receive most of that money. Also included was $750,000 for the Minneapolis Emergency Operations Center, which will be located across the Camden Bridge in Northeast Minneapolis at the fire training facility.
Also of significance in the $680 million bonding package was funding for diseased trees and fighting the emerald ash borer ($3 million), Orchestra Hall/Peavey Plaza Redevelop-ment ($16 million), Northstar extension from Big Lake to St. Cloud ($1 million), Metropolitan Regional Parks ($10.5 million), and the Hennepin County Medical Center Hyperbaric Chamber Replacement ($5 million). It's estimated that the bonding bill will create more than 16,000 much-needed jobs in Minnesota.
The legislature concluded the 2010 session by addressing our $3 billion deficit without raising taxes. The plan approved by the legislature contained no cuts to schools, hospitals or nursing homes. We also set in place the opportunity to enroll our lowest-income Minnesotans in Medicaid in place of the GAMC program, when Governor Pawlenty finally leaves office.
Legislation that I authored to improve MN/DOT's Disadvan-taged Business Enterprise (DBE) program passed this session. For projects receiving federal funds, the Department of Transpor-tation is required to set goals on the use of women- and minority-owned contractors. For the past year, Mn/DOT has been convening a DBE Collaborative with stakeholders to attempt to improve the performance of the program. Our efforts on this issue also resulted in $200,000 for grants to nonprofits for job training related to highway construction and DBEs.
The third Saturday in June is now designated as Juneteenth, in recognition of the historic pronouncement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was said to have been first publicly read in Texas by Union soldiers led by General Granger - two and a half years after President Lincoln freed the slaves. Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. The 2010 June-teenth celebration was held on June 19 at North Mississippi Regional Park.
We continued our commitment to consumer protection and passed my bill that would take cadmium-laden children's jewelry and trinkets off store shelves by 2011. Our state continues to be a national leader in keeping hazardous materials out of children's toys, trinkets and jewelry. Cadmium is a dangerous metal that can be deadly when ingested by children.
The legislature passed an initiative that would allow local units of government to offer financing for homeowners who want to do energy efficiency and conservation upgrades. This program, known as PACE, allows homeowners to pay for these upgrades through their property taxes and then save money on their energy bills. Minneapolis and Hennepin County are trying to work out details of how this program could be administered. It would allow homeowners to pay for qualifying upgrades of their choice as a special assessment on property taxes.
Thanks to everyone who called, emailed or wrote letters about these issues - and many more - before the Senate this year. I appreciate your input and advice, even though we may sometimes disagree. I am humbled and grateful to represent you in the Minnesota Senate!