Ian English
Name: Ian English
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: www.englishforhouse.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: Ian English for House 58B
Candidate Bio
I graduated from Eden Prairie High School in 2012 and then attended college at Minnesota State University, Mankato. I began coursework in Law Enforcement and Political Science, and then enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Military Policeman. I served on a mobilization to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which caused me to step away from college for a year. After returning from deployment, I continued my education and graduated in 2017 with a double-major in Law Enforcement and Political Science.
After graduation from college, I spent several years working in hospital security and public safety. I was honorably discharged from the Army in 2021. Working in the hospital setting for several years helped me realize my passion for healthcare, and I returned to school again to become a Registered Nurse. I have worked as an ER nurse now for over two years, and I have been privileged to serve many of the members of this community while working in a rural hospital. I also met my incredible wife, Brittny, while working at the hospital. We have a beautiful 1-year old girl, Isla, who we are excited to raise in our great community.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities if elected:
These priorities will be affected by the projected economic outlook in a variety of ways. State revenue streams are broadly dependent on the performance of the economy and consumer spending. Staffing in healthcare is and will continue to be a challenge based on available workforce, cost of education, and other factors. Bonding and infrastructure projects are dependent on the state’s ability to borrow and long-term financial stability, among other factors.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
Based on economic trends and accounts from small business owners, I believe the business climate in the East Metro is in a stable growth and transition phase. The economy broadly has continued to grow at a steady pace, but there are a number of challenges that business owners are facing. To list a few: inflationary pressures and supply chain issues from the national and global economic climate, as well as changes in society and technology. I believe one of the largest ongoing challenges is the workforce shortage, as the labor force participation rate remains below pre-pandemic levels. The shortage of workers has an impact across all industries and addressing the shortage will require work on multiple fronts. I look forward to working with our business leaders to tackle these challenges to improve our economic outlook and improve prosperity for all residents in our state.
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 think it is important for government and regulators to work with the business community and seek input when addressing common problems. The legislature has a responsibility to hear from all stakeholders when making policy, and businesses are often an important stakeholder. In recent years, the legislature has passed a variety of new requirements and mandates with good intent to address a variety of issues. Unfortunately, it seems like many of these rules and regulations were created without taking the time to evaluate the burden and impact in practice that these new rules will place on businesses and consumers. I believe this approach has negatively impacted collaboration with the business community in recent sessions.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
I believe that labor shortage is one of the most significant problems facing our economy. The workforce shortage must be addressed to ensure that critical services and goods are available throughout our state. I believe a large piece of this issue is the disincentives to work, for a variety of reasons. One example: the high cost of childcare pushes some parents out of the workforce, since it may be more cost-effective for families to stay at home with their children rather than pay for childcare. I support expanding eligibility for and increasing the child tax credit to help address this issue. I also support a review of state assistance and unemployment program work requirements, to ensure that those services are not being misused by those who are otherwise able to participate in the workforce. Additionally, it is important to utilize advancing technology where it can supplement workforce to improve efficiency and fill gaps in services.
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?
Paid Family Medical Leave has been successfully implemented in many other developed countries around the world, so we have seen that it is very possible to do this. Providing PFML is the right thing to do for families and workers, but realistic implementation is the key. I do believe that these programs will need to be refined, and funding pathways may need to be altered or subsidized. The burden of government mandates must be fairly evaluated by the legislature. The legislature needs to be willing to hear input from the private sector about program inefficiencies and cost burdens on the business community. As a legislator, I would ensure that these concerns from the business community are heard and fairly considered, so that these programs and mandates are implemented in a sustainable way that works for businesses, employees, and consumers.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
Public safety has been my passion; nearly all of my career experience has been in law enforcement and public safety. I am proud to say that the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association has endorsed my campaign in this race, for my support of law enforcement and my commitment to tackling public safety issues. Public safety services are struggling with workforce shortages and a lack of funding and operational support (especially in rural Minnesota). I believe we need to increase annual funding for public safety services to provide the resources needed for training, recruitment, and safe operations. We also need to sustainably invest in the future of public safety with new infrastructure and equipment that police, firefighter, and EMS services need to modernize their operations. We should increase partnerships with community and educational organizations to encourage career pathways in public safety services. The legislature needs to listen to what public safety officials are asking for: they know what they need to do their jobs.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
One of my priorities is getting the legislature back to working on the core issues in our state that really impact livability and quality of life for residents. A big piece of this is transportation. It is essential for the state to fund our infrastructure projects to maintain the quality of our roads, bridges, and transit systems. The state needs to partner and work with the private sector and community leaders to identify opportunities for growth and investment in improved transit options throughout the state. The state also needs to evaluate the impact and long-term cost commitments of projects, so that we are investing responsibly and not writing blank checks for never-ending projects. Additionally, it is incredibly important for the legislature to successfully negotiate and pass the bonding bill when it is a bonding year. Rural communities in my district rely on the funds from bonding projects to update critical infrastructure in their communities.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
The high costs of housing and rent are out of control, and the dream of home ownership has moved out of reach for many residents in recent years. A shortage of available housing is a big contributor to increased costs. The state needs to partner with municipalities and developers to review existing zoning, and to encourage the development of new, affordable housing options. The state should offer tax incentives for builders and developers who are willing to produce affordable housing options to incentivize investment. I believe the state should avoid heavy-handed mandates like rent control, which disincentivize developers from building new housing projects.
In light of projected budget deficit/"structural imbalance," what are your priorities for the State's budget?
It is essential for the state to maintain a responsible and transparent budget. I believe it is important to regularly audit state spending and trim the fat from unnecessary, redundant, or inefficient programs. Projected deficits need to be met with reductions in nonessential spending. With the recent extensive budget surpluses, the state should have prioritized future financial solvency and used that surplus to shore up against future economic downturns. The priority for state spending in the event of a deficit should be the provision of essential services such as public safety, healthcare, and transportation.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: www.englishforhouse.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: Ian English for House 58B
Candidate Bio
I graduated from Eden Prairie High School in 2012 and then attended college at Minnesota State University, Mankato. I began coursework in Law Enforcement and Political Science, and then enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Military Policeman. I served on a mobilization to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which caused me to step away from college for a year. After returning from deployment, I continued my education and graduated in 2017 with a double-major in Law Enforcement and Political Science.
After graduation from college, I spent several years working in hospital security and public safety. I was honorably discharged from the Army in 2021. Working in the hospital setting for several years helped me realize my passion for healthcare, and I returned to school again to become a Registered Nurse. I have worked as an ER nurse now for over two years, and I have been privileged to serve many of the members of this community while working in a rural hospital. I also met my incredible wife, Brittny, while working at the hospital. We have a beautiful 1-year old girl, Isla, who we are excited to raise in our great community.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities if elected:
- Ensuring robust operational support and funding for our public safety services (police, fire, and EMS), especially in rural areas.
- Ensuring that our rural healthcare clinics and hospitals can continue to operate and stay open, so that patients can get care in their own communities.
- Getting the legislature focused back on bread and butter issues again: things that Minnesotans agree on and need to be done. Items like infrastructure and bonding projects, so we can maintain our roads and bridges, and update water and sewer infrastructure, especially in rural Minnesota.
These priorities will be affected by the projected economic outlook in a variety of ways. State revenue streams are broadly dependent on the performance of the economy and consumer spending. Staffing in healthcare is and will continue to be a challenge based on available workforce, cost of education, and other factors. Bonding and infrastructure projects are dependent on the state’s ability to borrow and long-term financial stability, among other factors.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
Based on economic trends and accounts from small business owners, I believe the business climate in the East Metro is in a stable growth and transition phase. The economy broadly has continued to grow at a steady pace, but there are a number of challenges that business owners are facing. To list a few: inflationary pressures and supply chain issues from the national and global economic climate, as well as changes in society and technology. I believe one of the largest ongoing challenges is the workforce shortage, as the labor force participation rate remains below pre-pandemic levels. The shortage of workers has an impact across all industries and addressing the shortage will require work on multiple fronts. I look forward to working with our business leaders to tackle these challenges to improve our economic outlook and improve prosperity for all residents in our state.
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 think it is important for government and regulators to work with the business community and seek input when addressing common problems. The legislature has a responsibility to hear from all stakeholders when making policy, and businesses are often an important stakeholder. In recent years, the legislature has passed a variety of new requirements and mandates with good intent to address a variety of issues. Unfortunately, it seems like many of these rules and regulations were created without taking the time to evaluate the burden and impact in practice that these new rules will place on businesses and consumers. I believe this approach has negatively impacted collaboration with the business community in recent sessions.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
I believe that labor shortage is one of the most significant problems facing our economy. The workforce shortage must be addressed to ensure that critical services and goods are available throughout our state. I believe a large piece of this issue is the disincentives to work, for a variety of reasons. One example: the high cost of childcare pushes some parents out of the workforce, since it may be more cost-effective for families to stay at home with their children rather than pay for childcare. I support expanding eligibility for and increasing the child tax credit to help address this issue. I also support a review of state assistance and unemployment program work requirements, to ensure that those services are not being misused by those who are otherwise able to participate in the workforce. Additionally, it is important to utilize advancing technology where it can supplement workforce to improve efficiency and fill gaps in services.
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?
Paid Family Medical Leave has been successfully implemented in many other developed countries around the world, so we have seen that it is very possible to do this. Providing PFML is the right thing to do for families and workers, but realistic implementation is the key. I do believe that these programs will need to be refined, and funding pathways may need to be altered or subsidized. The burden of government mandates must be fairly evaluated by the legislature. The legislature needs to be willing to hear input from the private sector about program inefficiencies and cost burdens on the business community. As a legislator, I would ensure that these concerns from the business community are heard and fairly considered, so that these programs and mandates are implemented in a sustainable way that works for businesses, employees, and consumers.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
Public safety has been my passion; nearly all of my career experience has been in law enforcement and public safety. I am proud to say that the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association has endorsed my campaign in this race, for my support of law enforcement and my commitment to tackling public safety issues. Public safety services are struggling with workforce shortages and a lack of funding and operational support (especially in rural Minnesota). I believe we need to increase annual funding for public safety services to provide the resources needed for training, recruitment, and safe operations. We also need to sustainably invest in the future of public safety with new infrastructure and equipment that police, firefighter, and EMS services need to modernize their operations. We should increase partnerships with community and educational organizations to encourage career pathways in public safety services. The legislature needs to listen to what public safety officials are asking for: they know what they need to do their jobs.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
One of my priorities is getting the legislature back to working on the core issues in our state that really impact livability and quality of life for residents. A big piece of this is transportation. It is essential for the state to fund our infrastructure projects to maintain the quality of our roads, bridges, and transit systems. The state needs to partner and work with the private sector and community leaders to identify opportunities for growth and investment in improved transit options throughout the state. The state also needs to evaluate the impact and long-term cost commitments of projects, so that we are investing responsibly and not writing blank checks for never-ending projects. Additionally, it is incredibly important for the legislature to successfully negotiate and pass the bonding bill when it is a bonding year. Rural communities in my district rely on the funds from bonding projects to update critical infrastructure in their communities.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
The high costs of housing and rent are out of control, and the dream of home ownership has moved out of reach for many residents in recent years. A shortage of available housing is a big contributor to increased costs. The state needs to partner with municipalities and developers to review existing zoning, and to encourage the development of new, affordable housing options. The state should offer tax incentives for builders and developers who are willing to produce affordable housing options to incentivize investment. I believe the state should avoid heavy-handed mandates like rent control, which disincentivize developers from building new housing projects.
In light of projected budget deficit/"structural imbalance," what are your priorities for the State's budget?
It is essential for the state to maintain a responsible and transparent budget. I believe it is important to regularly audit state spending and trim the fat from unnecessary, redundant, or inefficient programs. Projected deficits need to be met with reductions in nonessential spending. With the recent extensive budget surpluses, the state should have prioritized future financial solvency and used that surplus to shore up against future economic downturns. The priority for state spending in the event of a deficit should be the provision of essential services such as public safety, healthcare, and transportation.