Firing some in that agency is a step, but only a step. Absent that, expect a flat to downward sloping learning curve; cronies learning as cronies choose is bad policy. Mop up.
That ram's horn configuration seems an equilibrium state, so a swift kick of large impact might be needed to dislodge the operation to a new and better equilibrium.
UPDATE: Metsa. IRRRB paycheck, after running, loosing, and giving up the leg seat to run.
Have they no shame?
___________UPDATE____________
He's a weasel, but he's our weasel. Per Strib:
Walz reprimands IRRRB chief in wake of DFLer's resignation
Gov. Tim Walz sent his commissioner overseeing the Iron Range economic development agency an official letter of reprimand Thursday after allegations of DFL cronyism at the agency surfaced last week.
"I expect you to model openness, transparency, inclusivity, and servant leadership. In this situation, you fell far short of my expectations," Walz wrote to Mark Phillips, commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).
[...] Gov. Tim Walz sent his commissioner overseeing the Iron Range economic development agency an official letter of reprimand Thursday after allegations of DFL cronyism at the agency surfaced last week.
"I expect you to model openness, transparency, inclusivity, and servant leadership. In this situation, you fell far short of my expectations," Walz wrote to Mark Phillips, commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).
"It was also inappropriate to use my Office as your stated rationale for requesting an exception. My Office never directed you to … vary from ordinary hiring procedures."
However, Phillips, who was not immediately available for comment late Thursday, has influential allies at the State Capitol.
A group of Iron Range lawmakers circulated a draft of a letter to Walz in support of Phillips.
[... The second letter, to Walz] backs Phillips. "Despite his missteps, Phillips is an asset to the Range and the state of Minnesota."
The perps authoring that second letter are not named by Strib, but by the fact a band or politicians declare him their weasel is the precise reason a letter of condemnation is inadequate. Replacement, by one Walz can trust to not dump a load on his lap, is the only lesson that has any chance to take.
Also Walz, who denies being the activating source of "find Joe a cushion," needs to also fire whatever intermediaries instigated and facilitated the offense. Other than the legislative perps who he unfortunately cannot fire.
CLEAN UP THE PARTY APPARATUS must be the intent and action, as a means to keep the DFL viable in the public's mind.
Given how Joe is ensconced in the political process, the severance has to be clean and final. Having him end up in some other government slot, on the taxpayers' payroll again at six figures after this IRRRB stuff, i.e. "find Joe some other cushion, somewhere more obscure, but do it very quietly" would add further insult to the people of the State. Not even dog catcher at minimum wage, at this point.
However, if the DFL party itself, using its own money and not taxpayer cash, were to service Joe's family's cashflow needs, then DFL contributors might not like it, but it would not carry the impropriety of greasing an insider with public taxpayer cash.
They could replace the one Perpich relative with Joe, as it likely could be an upgrade of the party apparatus. If that were to happen, shifting gears to "find Justin a cushion" would be inappropriate, but likely.
----------------------
Singing Cowboy Gene Autry did both "Home on the Range," and "Back in the Saddle Again," which seem to document aspects at each end of "Joe lost the electlion, so IRRRB him" shenanigans.
____________FURTHER UPDATE____________
The guess here is that after Stauber's CD8 election, if anyone had offered Michelle Lee some kind of IRRRB perk she'd have slammed the door on the thought and felt highly insulted.