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Senate panel recommends memorial for Melissa Hortman after debate over tree-planting funds
Summary
The Senate Capital Investment Committee voted to recommend passage of Senate File 4662, an $800,000 appropriation for a memorial to former Speaker Melissa Hortman, after members pressed Department of Administration staff about whether the funding would reduce money available for planned tree plantings on the Capitol Mall.
Senators on the Senate Capital Investment Committee on April 16 recommended passage of Senate File 4662, which would appropriate about $800,000 to build a memorial to former House Speaker Melissa Hortman near the State Office Building.
Sen. Ann Hoffman, the bill sponsor, said the memorial would honor Hortman’s long service and bipartisan relationships. "She built relationships with everyone," Hoffman said, listing Hortman's leadership roles and urging the committee to memorialize her approach to public service.
Several senators praised Hortman's record but raised a procedural concern: the memorial’s $800,000 price tag would be taken from a capital-design appropriation the Department of Administration has been using to implement a design framework for the Capitol Complex, including a multi-phase tree-planting program. Sen. Housley and others asked administration staff to clarify the remaining balance and the timing of Phase 2 tree plantings.
Wayne Waslasky, identified for the record as an assistant commissioner with the Department of Administration, told the committee the Legislature in 2023 appropriated $5 million to implement the design framework. That funding has supported roughly 340 tree plantings across the complex, creation of a tribal flag plaza, benches and new green space, and other work, Waslasky said. He estimated about $1.6 million remained in the design appropriation and that, after the memorial appropriation and other projects, roughly $130,000–$160,000 could remain to repurpose for additional trees or green-space work on Lot AA.
Sen. Pappas asked whether alternative funding sources exist to create the Lot AA green space rather than using the capital-design funds. Mr. Wesolowski, a department representative, said conversations have considered using remaining funds from Rice Street reconstruction appropriations if dollars remain after that project's design and bidding processes. "If there are available funds, Rice Street construction funds could be used to create the green space," he said.
The committee adopted an A1 amendment (shifting the appropriation from the capital-design plan to the general fund) by voice vote. After the amendment passed, Sen. Pha moved that Senate File 4662, as amended, be recommended to pass and be sent to the Finance Committee; the motion carried by voice vote.
The committee recorded no roll-call vote in the transcript; actions were taken by voice. The bill was forwarded as recommended for further consideration in the Finance Committee.
