Walz signs bill renaming solar program in honor of Melissa Hortman
DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) — Minnesota’s Governor signed a bill Tuesday renaming Minnesota’s community solar garden program after the late state senator Melissa Hortman.
Melissa and her husband Mark were assassinated in a deadly shooting last June.
On Tuesday, Governor Walz renamed the garden program after her, recognizing Hortman’s contributions in developing the program.
It launched in 2013 to help residents and businesses benefit from solar energy.
The program will be officially named the “Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program.”
State lawmakers have also discussed putting Hortman’s name on the new state office building.
Other proposals include dedicating a stretch of Highway 610 and creating a memorial state park in mark and Melissa’s honor.
That legislation is under consideration by the state legislature.
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