Brodkorb: Expect IRRRB oversight to be a top political issue in '16

A series of must-read investigative stories by the Star Tribune from Jennifer Bjorhus over the last few months have examined a series of questionable spending decisions by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).

The first story focused on a $625,000 in public money being loaned to a call center which raised money for Democratic candidates. In April, the Star Tribune focused on Giants Ridge resort in Biwabik, which is owned by the IRRRB and has lost "almost $40 million" in the the past decade, according to Bjorhus' story.

On Sunday, the Star Tribune reported about Silicon Energy, a company which Bjorhus' story detailed receiving multiple loans from the IRRRB totaling over $3 million. The story also noted how one lobbyist worked for both Silicon Energy and the city where the company is located.

Bjorhus' investigations generated additional headlines, as the IRRRB faced criticism from both legislators and state government watchdogs. Tom Rukavina, a St. Louis County commissioner and former member of the Minnesota House of Representative, came to the defense of the IRRRB in a strongly worded counterpoint commentary in response to Bjorhus' initial story and an editorial by the Star Tribune Editorial Board.

Rukavina, a feisty Democrat who has always been a strong advocate for the Iron Range, wrote the Star Tribune was "villifying" the IRRRB, and he inquired: "What's the story here?"

Republicans and Democrats, both elected officials and staff, I spoke with over the last two days said additional scrutiny and oversight of the IRRRB could be a hot political issue next year, as all 201 members of the Minnesota Legislature face re-election.

Still tired from the extra time needed to finish the work of the legislative session, many were unwilling to create new politcal battles so soon, but they all acknowledged the IRRRB is likely to be a target of legislators and groups focused on the 2016 elections. After Bjorhus' latest installment on the IRRRB for the Star Tribune, I doubt many are still asking: What's the story here?

Picture source: IRRRB