Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Responds to Governor's State of the State Address

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Responds to Governor's State of the State Address

SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Newsom presented his 2020 State of the State address, and discussed his vision for the State of California. The Governor dedicated most of his speech to the homeless and its profound effects, including health and mental health. 

“California is grappling with a housing shortage, a growing homeless population, and a poverty rate that is the second largest in the nation,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County).  “We need to look at an array of solutions and I am working on a package of housing-related bills which runs the spectrum – from homelessness to homeownership." 

Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva is working on several bills that complement the Governor's priorities laid out in today's State of the State address.  This includes reforming the Mental Health Services Act in order to treat patients with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. 

"The homeless problem has persisted for decades – caused by massive failures in our mental health system and disinvestment in our social safety net – exacerbated by widening income inequality and California’s housing shortage,” said Governor Newson. "It's time for the failed policy of ‘not my problem’ to be replaced with one of shared responsibility across every sector and every community.”

“There is still plenty to be accomplished,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “I look forward to continue to work collaboratively with the Governor on issues that remain important to the district and the state.”