(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County) has moved her California Economic Improvement Plan through the California State Assembly. The plan consists of 5 bills that have passed without opposing votes are: Assembly Bill 767 (AB 767), AB 1547, AB 1552, AB 1561, and AB 1715. This package of bills will next be heard in the committees of the State Senate.

The Assemblywoman has been hard at work for Orange County during her second year of the legislative session; working across the aisle with Republican colleagues, holding informational hearings, and discussing the importance of a prudent state economy, and job creation for the state of California. This package of  bills represent the concerted efforts of Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva, and the Jobs Committee, to support small businesses and job development in California. This entire package of bills passed the Assembly floor without a single “no” vote.

“Collectively, these bills form my California Economic Improvement Plan to support small businesses, bolster job creation, improve economic stability, and cut any red tape that might hinder business from accessing beneficial programs,” said Quirk-Silva. “As the 6^th largest economy in the world, California will remain competitive as a national and global leader by supporting small businesses, job growth, and the infrastructure on which it relies.”

Taehoon Ku, Deputy General Consul, Los Angeles (left), Jimin Kim, Deputy General Consul, San Francisco (middle), and Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (right) with resolution commemorating the 155^th Anniversary of Korean American Day.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) made the following statement today on the Assembly floor in commemoration of Korean American Day:

“Assembly Concurrent Resolution 144 speaks to the proud and rich history of a people in search of opportunity, and the freedoms America presents, to those who want to make a better life for their families and children. Orange County is emblematic of that journey as the vast majority of Koreans in Orange County are foreign born,” said Quirk-Silva. “Korean-Americans have become an integral part of mainstream American society, and have made important contributions as Californians in the field of finance, technology, law, medicine, education, sports, the media, the arts, the military, and also government.”

Governor Brown, Leland Wilson, and Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva tour Fullerton Fox Theatre in October, 2017

FULLERTON - Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County) announces the inclusion of $2.5 million in funding from the California state budget proposal of 2018-19. These funds are to be used for the restoration of the historic Fox Theatre in Fullerton.

“Since I went to see matinees there as a child, I have always been a fan, and supporter, of the Fox Theatre,” said Quirk-Silva. “It is with pride, and respect, for the history and people of Fullerton, that I worked to provide support for the efforts of so many people devoted to restoring an important landmark. Families will soon have a place to be entertained and spend quality time together inside a part of Orange County history.”

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) released the following statement after Gov. Jerry Brown released his initial budget proposal:

“The state’s ‘rainy day reserve,’ as proposed, is now at $13.5 billion,” said Quirk-Silva. “This prudent spending is vital for the California economy. Nonetheless, we need to ensure that these tax dollars continue to come back to the people of Orange County.”

“As a teacher for over 20 years, I know that the investments made in education will help Californians find the opportunities they deserve. I applaud the funding increases included in the proposed budget for K-12 schools, as well as higher education.”

The 2018 Budget proposes an ongoing increase of the $200 million Proposition 98 General Fund to establish a K-12 specific component of the Strong Workforce Program to encourage the establishment and support of K-12 CTE programs that are aligned with needed industry skills. This year, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva joined with fellow legislators to introduce Assembly Bill 1743 (AB 1743) to continue funding for K-12 career technical education (CTE) through an extension of the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) Program. These legislative efforts have resulted in funds proposed in the 2018 state budget.

(SACRAMENTO) – This week, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva introduced emergency legislation to waive charges on the disaster area properties that were established by the Building Homes and Jobs Act adopted last year. Given the quick need for action, this measure contains an urgency clause to immediately assist those who have lost so much. Assembly Bill 1765 (AB 1765) seeks to waive the $75 document fee imposed by the Building Homes and Jobs Act when an area has been designated a “natural disaster” by the Governor of California.

“The role of government is to assist in aiding Californians in recovering from such tragedies, not profit from them,” said Quirk-Silva. “It was extremely important for me to work with my colleagues from both parties, in order to come to the aid of our fellow Californians.”

In 2017, over 10,000 structures were lost in major California wildfires that were declared as “states of emergency” by Governor Brown. The wildfires that swept across Northern California destroyed 8,889 structures. The Thomas blaze northwest of downtown Los Angeles destroyed 1,063 structures. The Lilac and Anaheim Hills fires destroyed at least 200 structures. This bill would waive fees on those struggling to recover from such devastating losses.

(SACRAMENTO)  - California State Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk Silva (D-Orange County) has been appointed by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon to the Committee on Communications and Conveyance.  The committee covers issues such as telecommunications, broadband, cable and digital infrastructure, commercial air companies, moving companies, telecommunications, transportation network companies, electric and autonomous vehicles, and related businesses.

“I am pleased that Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon has placed the confidence in me to be involved in this important policy-making committee that influences our ever-changing technological marketplace,” said Quirk-Silva. “I will dedicate my service to promote an innovative climate in California, and support smart policies that keep California competitive for its businesses, and citizens.”

Introduction of AB 1743 calls for extended funding for critical programs that keep students in school and strengthen the California workforce

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) joined with Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D – Long Beach) to introduce Assembly Bill 1743 which would continue funding for K-12 career technical education (CTE) through an extension of the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) Program.

On October 2^nd of 2017, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva hosted a hearing with the joint authors of the bill to discuss the challenges facing the State’s CTE programs, including the need for ongoing funding for the Career Technical Grant Program. “Preparing a qualified workforce is a top priority for California,” said Quirk-Silva, Chair of Jobs Committee and joint author of AB 1743.  “California has always been a workforce leader.  As the economy evolves so must our education systems.”

On December 14, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote to adopt what’s known as the Restoring Internet Freedom Order. This order will essentially reverse Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality refers to the Open Internet Order, which was passed in 2015, and reclassified broadband internet service under Title II of the Communications Act—the legal foundation upon which the former administration established “open internet” regulations on internet service providers (ISPs).