Press Releases

Annual Ceremony held in recognition of Women’s History Month

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County) and the California State Assembly honored Jo-Anne Prophete Matsuba as the 65th Assembly District Woman of the Year 2018. Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva recognized the Orange County leader for her community involvement during the annual Assembly Floor ceremony.

“Jo-Anne Prophete Matsuba exemplifies the true spirit of community, by reaching out to everyone in need as a neighbor, and a friend” said Quirk-Silva. “I am proud to recognize Jo-Anne for her overarching influence on, and service for, so many families in California. This award is one simple gesture to show gratitude for all of her efforts, and I am proud to recognize her remarkable accomplishments for Orange County.”

Jo-Anne Prophete Matsuba and her husband Howard began their lives together when Jo-Anne was working as a critical care nurse.  They have lived in Fullerton for the past 25 years and raised their two daughters, Stephanie and Michelle. Last year Jo-Anne completed 3 years as a member of the St. Juliana Consultative School Board, and is a long time member of the St. Juliana Choir.

“My Haitian born parents always taught us to give thanks to God for our blessings, and to give back,” said Matsuba. “My hope is that by helping others, in any small way, I will instill that same charitable spirit in my daughters.”

Resolution introduced to Honor California’s Colonel Young Oak Kim, United States Army

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 188 (ACR 188), which would designate a specified portion of Interstate 5 in Orange County as the Colonel Young Oak Kim, United States Army, Memorial Highway. The measure would also request the California Department of Transportation place signs along the highway showing this special designation. The cost of the signs that memorialize the Korean American Colonel will be covered by donations from non-state sources.

“Colonel Young Oak Kim is a hero, in not only American History, but in World History. He holds a special place in the Korean American community of California from which he was born,” said Quirk-Silva. “This memorial will celebrate his heroic efforts in the U.S. Army’s 100^th Infantry Battalion, and his life as a champion of human rights; serving underprivileged, and minority populations. My office will continue to work with the Korean American communities in Orange County, Los Angeles County, and greater California to memorialize the life a great hero. This memorial is just one simple move to remind us of the valor and work of Colonel Young Oak Kim, and all veterans.”

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) released the following statement after the resignation of California State Senator Tony Mendoza (D – Artesia). Earlier this week, an outside investigation found that the Los Angeles County Senator had engaged in a pattern of unwanted “sexually suggestive” behavior toward six women, including his subordinates, while serving in the State Assembly and Senate.

“As legislators, we must ensure that the Capitol is a professional and safe place for our employees, and the people who visit here,” said Quirk-Silva. “Sexual harassment often has to do with power; it is intimidation, discrimination, and bullying that cannot be tolerated. Transgressions deemed valid by independent investigations certainly should not be excused. In that context, it was proper that Senator Mendoza resigned.”

In lieu of recent events, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva has taken the opportunity to offer the services of her State office in addressing the needs of constituents. Those constituents that live in the Buena Park area are encouraged to contact Quirk-Silva’s district office in regards to any state government related issues.

For more information or assistance, call (714) 521-6505.

(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County), as a member of the California Assembly Committee on Higher Education, engaged in the oversight hearing on the University of California Board of Regents fact-finding review. Today, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva calls on the UC Regents to focus on students, and use its funding more efficiently, in light of the UC Office of the President’s history of fiscal mismanagement that included lavish spending and a secret $174 million reserve fund.

This year, a proposal being considered by the UC Regents would increase in-state tuition by $342, or 2.7% for 2018-19. It follows a $336 tuition increase imposed by the Regents last year.  Last week, following outcry from students, parents and elected leaders, the Regents postponed a vote on the tuition increase until their meeting in May.

“Significant structural reforms to both the UC Board of Regent and Office of the President are required to improve accountability, reduce bloated budgets, and restore credibility,” said Quirk-Silva. “California students and hard-working families deserve better financial management from our prestigious educational system, and not tuition hikes.”

An April 2017 report by the State Auditor revealed that the UC Office of the President used misleading budget practices, paid extraordinarily generous salaries and interfered with investigators. The Auditor also reported that the Office of the President had spent more than $2 million on wasteful items like theatre tickets, luxury hotels and limo rides. Furthermore, the UC Office of the President admits to wrongfully interfering with an audit called by the state legislature.

(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.