Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, an Iron Range stalwart, said Monday that he looks forward to reform of the Range's key economic development agency after a blistering audit last week.
The audit found that despite spending up to $80 million per year, the state's Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, or IRRRB, cannot show that it's creating jobs while also warning that its board structure, consisting solely of Range lawmakers, may be unconstitutional.
Bakk said he was particularly concerned about a constitutional challenge to the IRRRB and will talk to Senate counsel for a legislative fix.
The Office of Legislative Auditor questioned whether the board arrangement violates the separation of powers doctrine because lawmakers are sitting on the board of an executive branch agency, commingling two branches of government.
"I intent to put (legislation) in more than one place if I have to this session to get that done," Bakk said in remarks after a Senate floor session Monday.
Bakk praised Mark Phillips, the commissioner of IRRRB since last year, but said he hopes the agency focuses on continuity and "hiring a strong deputy who actually runs the agency, who transitions from gubernatorial appointment to gubernatorial appointment, so the staff has a constant boss."
