Brion Curran
Name: Brion Curran
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-343-7023
Campaign Website: www.brioncurran.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/brionforhouse
Candidate Bio
I am running for re-election because I see that the progress we made the last two years is not done, and we have a lot more work to do to ensure our communities are safe, our environment is clean and protected, and our families day-to-day life is more affordable. I have made tremendous progress these last two years establishing relationships with multiple advocacy groups, Minnesota Departments and Agencies, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a number of issues including disability services, public safety, and climate change legislation.
I have been a disability services professional for over 20 years, and I have been a Deputy Sheriff, Reserve Sergeant, and 911 Dispatcher in my community. Through all of these roles I see both the benefits of our governmental services, and the ways in which they are not helping all of our neighbors the way they need to be.
I believe in our state government to tangibly improve people’s lives, and I have the professional background to do this work.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
I have made a lot of progress in my first two years at the Legislature, and I have a lot more on my to-do list if I am re-elected this November.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
The East Metro business climate is strong and growing. The largest municipality in my district is White Bear Lake, which has a strong and diverse downtown area filled with a variety of businesses. I am so proud of the strong character that Downtown White Bear Lake and its active business association has in my community. I am also excited by the areas of innovation in both White Bear Lake and Vadnais Heights. We are fortunate to have access to affordable commercial spaces in our community.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development? Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
I believe that the government and our business community can work collaboratively by sharing data and feasibility over policies that improve our communities. Many of the small business owners I work with in my district appreciate the dedication the 2023-2024 Legislature had in supporting workers and leveling the playing field for all sizes of businesses. Oftentimes, the largest businesses in the state are the only private entities that can compete on benefits such as Paid Family and Medical Leave or Earned Sick and Safe Time. Expanding these guarantees to all workers ensures our small and medium-sized businesses can compete for high-quality workers. I look forward to ensuring all of our policies are implemented well and with input from the business community.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
I look forward to continuing to support workforce training opportunities, better college outcomes for students of all ages, and do my best to support transportation and immigration resources to grow our labor pool. Our tight labor market is an historic opportunity to invest in expanding the workforce participation rate to even more Minnesotans.
The 2023-2024 Legislature passed many new mandates on employers, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support the PFML program in its current form or do you believe there needs to be further refinement before the program comes into effect in January 2026? If elected, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a proposal on the many types of businesses in the East Metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do support these policies that put Minnesota’s workers on firmer economic footing. As I stated up above, these policies ensure that all sizes of businesses can compete across benefit structures. I am confident that the adjustments we passed last year to these policies (as well as ensuring a consistent minimum wage across all business sizes) will support workers to the level that our successful businesses can compete on quality of the job. I look forward to continuing the conversation with the East Metro business community to make these policies workable.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
As a former Reserve Sergeant in the White Bear Lake Police Department and as a former Chisago County Sheriff’s Deputy, I believe that comprehensive public safety solutions are our best bet in keeping our communities safe. I believe whole-heartedly that one of the best ways to invest in public safety is to invest in our officers and first responders. It’s why I supported investing in a right to PTSD treatment for officers and why I am so proud of our new public safety center in White Bear Lake. We need to make sure that we right-size our responses for the issues we are trying to solve.
For instance, we need better and more comprehensive wraparound solutions (including supportive housing) and substance use disorder treatment for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. A solely armed officer response will not lead to fixing the system that perpetuates this inequality and leads to safety concerns.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
I am so proud of finally securing funding for the final leg of the Bruce Vento trail in the District. I support increasing frequency and access to transit options across my suburban district. Protected bike lanes, both for recreation and commuting, are essential to reduce vehicle miles traveled and get us to achieve our climate change mitigation goals.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Last Session, I supported the bipartisan “Missing Middle” housing bill. While we didn’t get it across the line last year, I look forward to supporting it again next Legislative Session. The fact is, we need to build more housing of all types in the Twin Cities, the suburbs, and throughout Greater Minnesota to ensure that housing is more affordable. As someone who has been both a homeowner and a renter in my District, I see the distinct challenges of our current housing shortage. Loosening restrictive zoning that blocks housing developments is key to charting a way forward for current Minnesotans and others hoping to relocate to our great communities.
In light of projected budget deficit/"structural imbalance," what are your priorities for the State's budget?
I am closely monitoring the budget projections and forecasts as they come out from Minnesota Management and Budget. One of the largest categories of spending in the future is an increase to waiver services for our neighbors with disabilities and medical needs. I plan to continue my work to improve mental health outcomes for our neighbors, securing federal match funding for crucial disability services, and working with my colleagues to cap these rising costs.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-343-7023
Campaign Website: www.brioncurran.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/brionforhouse
Candidate Bio
I am running for re-election because I see that the progress we made the last two years is not done, and we have a lot more work to do to ensure our communities are safe, our environment is clean and protected, and our families day-to-day life is more affordable. I have made tremendous progress these last two years establishing relationships with multiple advocacy groups, Minnesota Departments and Agencies, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a number of issues including disability services, public safety, and climate change legislation.
I have been a disability services professional for over 20 years, and I have been a Deputy Sheriff, Reserve Sergeant, and 911 Dispatcher in my community. Through all of these roles I see both the benefits of our governmental services, and the ways in which they are not helping all of our neighbors the way they need to be.
I believe in our state government to tangibly improve people’s lives, and I have the professional background to do this work.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
I have made a lot of progress in my first two years at the Legislature, and I have a lot more on my to-do list if I am re-elected this November.
- Public Safety for All - As a former Deputy Sheriff, Reserve Sergeant, and 911 Dispatcher, I will continue to advocate for mental health resources for our first responders, and I will continue to advocate for safe gun ownership and accountability.
- Equitable Services for our Neighbors with Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges - The costs that our families and neighbors pay for disability and mental health services is untenable. I will continue to prioritize affordability for our neighbors in need of these services and work with advocacy groups and the state’s Department of Human Services to improve our system of service provision.
- Preserving our Rights - As the Vice Chair of the Queer Caucus, I chief authored the recently passed ban on the so-called “Gay Panic Defense” when our neighbors are harmed due to bigotry. I look forward to advancing further protections to ensure bodily autonomy and that our entire Queer community is protected from discrimination.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
The East Metro business climate is strong and growing. The largest municipality in my district is White Bear Lake, which has a strong and diverse downtown area filled with a variety of businesses. I am so proud of the strong character that Downtown White Bear Lake and its active business association has in my community. I am also excited by the areas of innovation in both White Bear Lake and Vadnais Heights. We are fortunate to have access to affordable commercial spaces in our community.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development? Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
I believe that the government and our business community can work collaboratively by sharing data and feasibility over policies that improve our communities. Many of the small business owners I work with in my district appreciate the dedication the 2023-2024 Legislature had in supporting workers and leveling the playing field for all sizes of businesses. Oftentimes, the largest businesses in the state are the only private entities that can compete on benefits such as Paid Family and Medical Leave or Earned Sick and Safe Time. Expanding these guarantees to all workers ensures our small and medium-sized businesses can compete for high-quality workers. I look forward to ensuring all of our policies are implemented well and with input from the business community.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
I look forward to continuing to support workforce training opportunities, better college outcomes for students of all ages, and do my best to support transportation and immigration resources to grow our labor pool. Our tight labor market is an historic opportunity to invest in expanding the workforce participation rate to even more Minnesotans.
The 2023-2024 Legislature passed many new mandates on employers, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support the PFML program in its current form or do you believe there needs to be further refinement before the program comes into effect in January 2026? If elected, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a proposal on the many types of businesses in the East Metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do support these policies that put Minnesota’s workers on firmer economic footing. As I stated up above, these policies ensure that all sizes of businesses can compete across benefit structures. I am confident that the adjustments we passed last year to these policies (as well as ensuring a consistent minimum wage across all business sizes) will support workers to the level that our successful businesses can compete on quality of the job. I look forward to continuing the conversation with the East Metro business community to make these policies workable.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
As a former Reserve Sergeant in the White Bear Lake Police Department and as a former Chisago County Sheriff’s Deputy, I believe that comprehensive public safety solutions are our best bet in keeping our communities safe. I believe whole-heartedly that one of the best ways to invest in public safety is to invest in our officers and first responders. It’s why I supported investing in a right to PTSD treatment for officers and why I am so proud of our new public safety center in White Bear Lake. We need to make sure that we right-size our responses for the issues we are trying to solve.
For instance, we need better and more comprehensive wraparound solutions (including supportive housing) and substance use disorder treatment for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. A solely armed officer response will not lead to fixing the system that perpetuates this inequality and leads to safety concerns.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
I am so proud of finally securing funding for the final leg of the Bruce Vento trail in the District. I support increasing frequency and access to transit options across my suburban district. Protected bike lanes, both for recreation and commuting, are essential to reduce vehicle miles traveled and get us to achieve our climate change mitigation goals.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Last Session, I supported the bipartisan “Missing Middle” housing bill. While we didn’t get it across the line last year, I look forward to supporting it again next Legislative Session. The fact is, we need to build more housing of all types in the Twin Cities, the suburbs, and throughout Greater Minnesota to ensure that housing is more affordable. As someone who has been both a homeowner and a renter in my District, I see the distinct challenges of our current housing shortage. Loosening restrictive zoning that blocks housing developments is key to charting a way forward for current Minnesotans and others hoping to relocate to our great communities.
In light of projected budget deficit/"structural imbalance," what are your priorities for the State's budget?
I am closely monitoring the budget projections and forecasts as they come out from Minnesota Management and Budget. One of the largest categories of spending in the future is an increase to waiver services for our neighbors with disabilities and medical needs. I plan to continue my work to improve mental health outcomes for our neighbors, securing federal match funding for crucial disability services, and working with my colleagues to cap these rising costs.