Press Releases

ORANGE COUNTY – Hundreds of new laws took effect in California on New Year’s Day, bringing protections and regulations to many issue areas, from addressing some of the state’s educational needs and mental health to election reform and net neutrality. Here is a quick rundown of just some of the important, noteworthy laws that took effect, which Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva worked on and supported within the California State Legislature.

Top Legislative Priorities Include: Addressing Homelessness, Affordable Housing, Affordable Higher Education, Health, and Public Safety

(Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva recites oath of office with husband, Mayor Jesus Silva)

BUENA PARK – Last night, Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) was sworn-in during her Holiday Celebration and Toy Drive in her district office. The ceremony included a community oath to serve as California Assemblymember for 2019 to 2020 for the 65^th district. Quirk-Silva, who served as the 65th’s Assemblywoman from 2012 to 2014, was elected again to serve from 2016 to 2018 and then reelected this year to serve the 2019 to 2020 legislative term. The 65th Assembly District incorporates Orange County communities in Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Palma, Garden Grove, and Stanton.

“I am grateful, and honored, for the opportunity to continue to serve the residents of the 65th District as their State Assemblywoman,” said Quirk-Silva. “I want to thank my constituents for their trust and support. I will continue the work in bringing the state of California’s resources to the people of Orange County.”

FULLERTON, CA— Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva released the following response to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly meeting with Vietnamese government officials this week to discuss drastic changes to the terms of an agreement that has governed the deportation of individuals to Vietnam since 2008. Quirk-Silva joins many families in Orange County in opposing any changes to the agreement that would erode protections currently afforded to Vietnamese immigrants, including a provision that does not permit those who entered the United States before July 12, 1995 to be deported.

“I want to express my concern over the latest actions of the Trump administration this week. Any actions that prioritize harsher restrictions such as these should be made with a diplomatic, and more level-headed approach,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “Southeast Asian Communities, including Vietnamese communities, and all the proud Asian Pacific Islander communities of Orange County should not be made to fear being arrested and deported. The refugee story in Orange County is proof that the American Dream is alive and well. People fleeing their home only for their safety, and the safety of their children, should be respected and not feared.”

Modifications to the U.S. - Vietnam Repatriation Agreement could potentially make over 8,500 individuals immediately vulnerable to deportation. Many of these community members came to the United States as refugees, fleeing war and persecution, and have lived here peacefully for decades.

Top Legislative Priorities Include: Addressing Homelessness, Affordable Housing, Affordable Higher Education, Health, and Public Safety

SACRAMENTO – This morning, Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) was sworn-in to serve as California Assemblymember for 2019 to 2020. Quirk-Silva, who served as the 65th’s Assemblywoman from 2012 to 2014, was elected again to serve from 2016 to 2018 and then reelected this year to serve the 2019 to 2020 legislative term. The 65th Assembly District incorporates Orange County communities in Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Palma, Garden Grove, and Stanton.

“I am grateful, and honored, for the opportunity to continue to serve the residents of the 65th District as their State Assemblywoman,” said Quirk-Silva. “I want to thank my constituents for their trust and support. I will continue the work in bringing the state of California’s resources to the people of Orange County.”

The reelected Assemblywoman has already been hard at work to craft sensible legislation for the upcoming 2-year session, which aims to help her Orange County district.

“There is a serious need to address homelessness, affordable housing, and affordable higher education. I will also focus my legislative work on public safety, access to mental and behavioral health care, and our small businesses. I will continue to fight for our communities, and make sure that the state is being held accountable for the people of Orange County,” said Quirk-Silva.

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva is a mother, educator, and dedicated public servant who has served her community as Mayor of Fullerton, and in the State Assembly. Quirk-Silva grew up in Orange County and received her education at Fullerton public schools, Fullerton College, before earning her bachelor’s degree at UCLA and her Teaching Credential from CSU Fullerton.

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva will also be hosting a Holiday Celebration and Toy Drive that will feature a “community swearing-in” on Thursday, December 20, and the district office will be available to discuss legislative issues of interest to the community, and the services provided by state.

SACRAMENTO – California Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) released the following statement in response to the 13 people killed (including the shooter and a Ventura County Sheriff’s deputy) after a shooting last night at Thousand Oaks’ Borderline Bar & Grill. Sergeant Ron Helus of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, a 29-year veteran, was critically injured, and succumbed to his injuries. Approximately 21 people were injured and treated at area hospitals.

“I join a world in mourning today, with a broken heart. It is the time for prayer, and it is the time for change. We must do everything possible to stop these seemingly constant tragedies,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “How we respond to tragedy is a true hallmark of integrity. People from the local community, the state of California, and the nation are reacting to the tragedy by opening their hearts and supporting the victims. I encourage everyone mourning the horrific circumstances to act as well, by donating what they can.”

For people wishing to donate funds, authorities are accepting donations for victims through the Ventura County Community Foundation. 100 percent of the funds collected will go directly to provide assistance to the victims and their families.

SACRAMENTO – California Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) released the following statement in response to the 11 people killed in the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue Pittsburgh on Saturday. The victims of the attack were beloved members of one of the country’s vital Jewish communities. The perpetrator of this brutal act made hate-filled statements during the shooting, and targeted Jews on social media, according to a federal law enforcement official.

“Orange County stands together with the rest of America in support of the Jewish community of Pittsburgh. Our hearts are with the Tree of Life community, the first responders, and the families that suffered their tragic loss,” said Quirk-Silva. “In the face of this horrendous, hate-driven, and anti-Semitic brutality, we must reject intolerance and remember that inclusion is what makes a community strong. These attacks should be seen as attacks on the very foundation this country stands for.”

In lieu of the tragedy, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva will continue to work closely with legislative leaders, as well as relevant standing policy committees, concerned residents, and other officials to examine solutions to violent hate crimes that continue to plague communities around the state and the country.

Funds will Support California Start-Ups and Small Businesses Achieve Short and Long-Term Goals

ORANGE COUNTY – Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, Chair of the Assembly Jobs Committee, and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) today announced the 84 recipients of the of the California Small Business Technical Assistance Expansion Program (SB TAEP) for 2018. The $17 million provided for this year’s recipients has been allocated to technical assistance centers with a focus on services to underserved business groups, including women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses and businesses in low-wealth, rural, and disaster-impacted communities.

“California is home to the largest number and fastest growing start-ups and small businesses in the country doing everything from providing professional services to innovating next gen consumer products,” said GO-Biz Director Panorea Avdis. “This new grant program will give many of these small businesses the expert advice and tools they need to grow and maintain their ventures.”

SB TAEP was created as part of the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2018 / 2019 state budget to expand the capacity of federal small business technical assistance programs and services in California such as free or low-cost one-on-one consulting and low-cost training. The Office of Small Business Advocate at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is charged with implementing and administering the Program.                          

“As Chair of the Jobs Committee, I am pleased to see that our state’s real job creators, our small businesses, now have greater access to services that help them expand their successful ventures and begin new ones on the right foot,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva. “These grants will support the development of small businesses in California, and remove impediments to help businesses flourish. This investment will make economic independence, and upward mobility, a reality for millions more Californians, by cultivating the ingenuity and talents our best have to offer.”

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed Assembly Bill 448, legislation jointly authored by Orange County Assemblymembers Tom Daly (D – Anaheim) and Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Fullerton) to establish the Orange County Housing Finance Trust.

"This legislation is a product of teamwork, and refreshing cooperation in Orange County. This was a bipartisan effort to find permanent housing for our struggling residents," said Quirk-Silva. "As a mother, teacher, former mayor, and concerned resident, I understand there are many roadblocks to providing housing for the county’s growing population of chronically homeless people. Nevertheless, with optimistic and sensible approaches like this one, we will be able to help the homeless in our community over time."

A 2017 UC Irvine study, commissioned by Orange County United Way, found that 68% of Orange County’s homeless population had lived in the County for 10 years or longer. The UCI study concluded that Orange County could save $42 million a year on healthcare and law enforcement, among other expenses, by moving chronically homeless people from the streets into permanent supportive housing.

FULLERTON – In further efforts to bring state funds back to the people of Orange County, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) secured $5 million from the 2018-19 State Budget’s Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund, to house and assist persons experiencing homelessness. The funds will be used to expand bed and support services for the homeless at the Bridges at Kraemer Place emergency shelter in Orange County. With these funds, the Bridges at Kraemer Place will serve hundreds of men, women, and children of North Orange County.

“Supporting a proven successful shelter, already in operation, is the logical first approach to confront the complicated issue of homelessness,” said Quirk-Silva. “We need beds for people in responsible shelters, such as Kraemer Place. Supporting these shelters with a proven success rate will ease the burden put on our neighborhood streets, in times of crisis.”

Bridges at Kraemer Place in Anaheim is more than an emergency shelter. It has added services to help transition transients into more stable, long-term housing. Homeless people have to be referred, and screened for outstanding warrants, to get into Kraemer’s 24-hour shelter. Also, sex offenders are not allowed, and public safety is paramount.