Press Releases

(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).

ANAHEIM, CA – Dec 6, 2017 – Anaheim Beautiful welcomed CA District 65 Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva as the featured guest speaker at the 2017 Holiday Luncheon. Guests enjoyed entertainment by the Kennedy Singers and the organization’s quarterly property awards were presented. Priscilla Oropeza, Miss Anaheim Fall Festival Teen Ambassador was on hand to greet members and help with the opportunity drawing.

ORANGE COUNTY - Last week, in accordance with the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act, the California State Student Association (CSSA) Executive Board received communication from the Chancellor’s Office regarding a possible tuition increase proposal for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Photo of Governor Jerry Brown, Leland Wilson, and Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 490 (AB 490), authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D - Orange County) was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. AB 490 will extend the College Access Tax Credit Program for 5 years, and support Cal Grant B Access Awards for California students, in an effort to shorten the time it takes to graduate and to allow students to spend more time focusing on their studies.

“This law provides a continuation of funding for Cal Grant B awards that cover textbooks, housing, transportation, childcare and other living expenses, and additional costs associated with higher education for low-income students,” said Quirk-Silva. “The College Access Tax Credit is an innovative program that will help students, while allowing individuals and businesses to get the maximum benefit from that investment.”

Sacramento, CA – Assembly Bill 363 (AB 363) by Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County) was successfully signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. The law will waive the processing fee for homeless and low-income veterans who apply for a veteran designation on their California driver’s licenses and identification cards.

Current law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to offer a driver's license or identification card printed with the word "veteran" on it, indicating that the possessor is a military veteran. However, all veterans are currently charged a fee for this service, a cost that homeless veterans may not be able to afford. AB 363 will waive the fee for low-income and homeless veterans that do not have the extra resources readily available to pay for the veteran designation.

(SACRAMENTO) –Assembly Bill 584 (AB 584) by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County) was signed into law, by Governor Jerry Brown. AB 584 will help students improve their academic performance and make information about postsecondary education, and financial aid more widely available. This new law will bring together resources in Orange County for the purposes of improving academic performance, and providing information to underserved populations of Orange County.

“Orange County students overall, outscore, outperform, and outrank the state average on standardized testing and other measures of achievement, but minority students in the Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana school districts are far more likely to drop out of high school,” said Quirk-Silva. “We have witnessed an education achievement gap, which is fueled by poverty, language and cultural barriers, lack of advocacy, and limited education support outside of the school system.”