 Legislative Update -Dear Neighbors, As the start of the 2026 legislative session is right around the corner, I wanted to catch you up on where the House stands. There were two open seats in the Minnesota House resulting from two representatives being elected to different offices: Rep. Amanda Hemmingson-Jaeger has joined the Minnesota Senate, and Rep. Kaohly Her was elected Mayor of St. Paul. Following recent special elections, both seats remained in Democratic hands. We are returning to the session with a 67-67 tied House again- just as Minnesotans wanted since 2024. Congratulations to Reps. Shelly Buck and Meg Luger-Nikolai on their decisive wins—I look forward to working with both of them in the House as we fight for all Minnesotans. This Session Daily article is a great summary to get everyone caught up before the session starts next Tuesday. For a closer look at my 2026 legislative priorities, read my session preview column published in the White Bear News. On the first day of the session, the Minnesota Legislature will honor the lives of Melissa and Mark Hortman with a joint resolution read by members of both the House and Senate. While it will be a difficult day, I am comforted by the privilege of witnessing her leadership and calling her a friend. Please join us via the House livestream. I want to remind you that the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website.  2026 Legislative Session My focus this session remains on collaborative, bipartisan governance. I am committed to crafting legislation that lowers the cost of living, protecting our most vulnerable communities, defending our human rights and civil liberties, and holding ICE and federal immigration agents accountable. There is a lot of work ahead of us but in a tied House, we won’t be able to pass any meaningful legislation without bipartisan support. I am hopeful my Republican counterparts will come to the table in good faith to address the real challenges Minnesotans are facing. The reality is that we no longer have a partner in Washington. This administration is withholding funding and weaponizing the Department of Justice against states that disagree with them. These cuts and freezes are impacting our neighbors in everything from childcare to Medicaid. Last year, Minnesotans saw firsthand the depth of disillusionment and lack of direction in the leadership offered by Speaker Demuth and the Republicans. They introduced zero bills to help Minnesotans; instead, they held sham committee hearings and wasted precious time bullying children for political points. Minnesotans deserve better. In this moment, we have a real opportunity to prove that the North Star remains a beacon of hope. By moving past partisanship and leading from commonality, we can move our state forward, together. This past fall, as part of the House bonding tour, I advocated for funding for the Vadnais Heights Boulevard Trail Project—a local initiative of the City of Vadnais Heights. The city is pursuing this project to provide vital safety enhancements while connecting neighborhoods, parks, and schools, and promoting recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. I am determined to continue advocating for this bill when we return to session.  As your state representative, my most important job is listening to you. Please continue reaching out to my office to share your questions, concerns, or legislative priorities. Paid Leave Program One of the most notable DFL accomplishments implemented on January 1st was the statewide Paid Leave program. Despite every effort from Republicans to dismantle this program, I was proud to work with labor unions, workers, families, small business owners, and everyday Minnesotans to fight back and ensure we kept this essential social safety net—one that catches everyone, not just a chosen few. This landmark program ensures that when a crisis hits or a new child arrives, Minnesotans can focus on what matters most—their families and their health—without the fear of losing their livelihood. With its seamless launch, since the program started on Jan. 1, the state says it has received more than 25,000 applications so far. Paid Leave – which DFLers passed in 2023 – provides partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave for your own serious health condition, including pregnancy and recovery. It also provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a new child, a seriously ill loved one, or for certain military or safety-related events. If using both medical and family leave, workers can use up to a total of 20 weeks annually. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has also developed helpful toolkits with resources for workers and businesses alike. The toolkit for workers can help you find out if you’re eligible for coverage, when Paid Leave can be used, how much time you can take, how you’ll be compensated, and more. The toolkit for businesses includes information about upcoming public engagement events, information on premium rates and contributions, equivalent plans for Paid Leave, and other FAQs. You can also find Paid Leave translated workplace posters on the Department of Labor and Industry webpage.  For many Minnesotans, missing a single paycheck means the difference between staying above water and facing dire financial challenges, and that’s particularly true considering the affordability crisis we’re facing now, with prices rising on just about everything in our daily lives. Paid Leave is one major step to provide some relief, ensuring you’ll no longer have to risk your economic security to look after yourself, care for a newborn, or tend to a loved one. I am incredibly proud of the DEED team and our local partners for ensuring the successful launch of the Paid Leave program; seeing Minnesotans finally use this benefit to care for themselves and their families is the fulfillment of a decade-long fight and proves why Minnesota remains the best state to call home. Stay Connected!This program has truly been years in the making, and I’m so excited for families in our community and throughout Minnesota to finally have peace of mind. I encourage you to check out all of the resources available at pl.mn.gov. Please contact my office if you have any questions about the launch of Paid Leave. It is important to me that you understand your rights and the benefits available to you and your loved ones. Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.brion.curran@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4342, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe! Sincerely,  State Representative Brion Curran Proudly Serving District 36B Minnesota House of Representatives |