House GOP Eyes Iron Range Investment Board

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in the Minnesota House are taking aim at a state agency that invests in the Iron Range and whose structure was called into question earlier this year.

The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board doles out grants and loans meant to spur economic development and diversify an Iron Range economy largely reliant on a volatile iron ore industry.

The current board is made up of nine Iron Range legislators. Rep. Tom Hackbarth's measure would replace the board with a nine-member commission made up of legislators and citizens from around the state.

Iron Range legislators oppose the changes, saying they're politically motivated. They say only minor changes to the board are necessary to alleviate concerns over the board's constitutionality.