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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL)

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RELEASE: Rep. Sandstede statement on IRRRB changes in the House Jobs Bill

Thursday, April 6, 2017

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House debated the Omnibus Job Growth and Energy Affordability Bill. In an effort to address concerns raised in a Legislative Auditor’s report last year, the bill contains a provision to restructure the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board into an advisory commission.

State Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL – Hibbing) released the following statement:

“Prior to my election, an audit of the IRRRB was performed. The findings of the report included concerns about the board’s oversight of grants and loans as well as questions about the constitutionality of the board’s structure itself. Both the DFL and GOP members have versions of a bill to satisfy the audit’s findings regarding constitutionality. In the end, both versions, according to the Legislative Auditor, fulfill the constitutionality and neither version, except in perception only, places the IRRRB funds closer to state oversight. If the Legislature wanted access to those funds today, they could access them.

“I have no doubt that with continued work, which we were elected to do, we will come to a reasonable, workable, mutually-agreeable resolution that best represents the residents of the Taconite Tax Relief Area. While we continue to hash out our differences at the Legislature, I think equally important changes need to be made within the agency itself. The process of vetting projects, communication with board members, accountability, transparency and reporting are all issues that rise to the top of my list.

“I fully support economic development and diversification of the Iron Range. As stewards of your tax dollars, we need to ensure that we do not miss real opportunities to grow our economy, while at the same time be ever-watchful for ingenuous ventures that benefit few rather than invest in the communities and people of the Range.

“Often times there is more than one path to the best solution. Change is upon us and the ‘growing pains,’ which I believe if we commit ourselves to, will make us stronger and bring about the economic transformation our communities are seeking.”