Press Releases

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Holds Press Conference on Vaccine Distribution within Orange County Communities

FULLERTON –Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D- Orange County) held a press conference at Richman Community Center with County of Orange Board of Supervisor, Vice Chair, Doug Chaffee (D – Fullerton) and local elected officials and community leaders to address the vaccine distribution within Orange County.

A few of the following members that participated in the press conference joined us from throughout North Orange County including Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut, Fullerton Councilmember Jesus Silva, Cypress Councilwoman Francis Marquez, Centralia School Board President Elizabeth Gonzalez, Anaheim Union High School District Board Member Al Jabbar, and community leaders to address the concerns about vaccine distribution to underserved regions and efforts on making the vaccine distribution more accessible for our community members.

“As we know many of our hard hit communities are in our underserved Latinx and ethnic community regions of Orange County lacking availability to vaccine distribution PODs,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva. “With our LatinX community dying at a rate of 3-1, we must address the ongoing issues our community faces.”

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Introduces Bi-Partisan Legislation in Effort to Safely Reopen Theme Parks

Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media Held an Informational Hearing on Safely Reopening California’s Arts Venues

SACRAMENTO, CA –Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Fullerton) Chair of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media held an informational hearing to discuss the best practices for safely reopening California’s arts and entertainment venues as they continue to face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we know, the arts, culture, and creative economy sectors have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.  Today’s hearing provided a forum for museums, galleries and performance venues to share with the Legislature their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of stay at home orders on their businesses, staff and artists themselves.

“I am thankful to have the opportunity to bring our industry leaders and committee together to speak about California’s art and entertainment needs for increased funding and guidelines to return safely and responsibly,” said Committee Chair Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “We must ensure that our California Recovery will not be without our creative and artistic industries that bring vibrancy to our State’s economy.

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Appointed to Assembly Committee on Education

FULLERTON, CA –Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Fullerton) was appointed as the newest member of the California Assembly Committee on Education. The Assemblywoman was appointed today by Speaker of the Assembly, Assemblymember Anthony Rendon.

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Honors the Life of Tommy Lasorda

FULLERTON, CA –Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Fullerton) honors Hall of Fame Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lifelong Fullerton resident, Tommy Lasorda.  Mr. Lasorda, who has passed away at the age of 93, suffered a sudden cardiopulmonary arrest at his home. 

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Response to Governor Newsom’s Budget Proposal

FULLERTON, CA –Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Fullerton) is optimistic of Governor Newsom’s proposed budget plan announced today to spend $227.2 billion that provides funding for immediate COVID-19 response and relief efforts in the state’s budget to help all Californians.  As the legislature returns back to the Capitol next week, the budget will be one of the top priorities for the 2021 legislative session.

Governor Newsom 2021-22 budget proposes includes the following:

• $372 Million Set Aside for COVID-19 Vaccinations to expedite the delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations

• $2 billion targeted specifically to support and accelerate safe returns to in-person instruction starting in February, with priority for returning the youngest children.

• Proposing a record investment for public schools; including $4.6 Billion for extending learning time, $400 million for school-based mental health services, and $3.8 billion additional education funds above Proposition 98 guarantee funding

• $1.75 billion for homelessness programs, including purchases of additional motels, short-term community mental health facilities, and senior housing.

• $44 Million for Childcare

• $1.1 billion immediate relief for small businesses

• More than $600 million in business tax credits and sales tax exclusions

• $353 million for workforce development programs

• $1 billion to support a coordinated forest health and fire prevention strategy.

• Five percent reduction in state operations expenditures.

“As Californians, we have an obligation to provide crucial support for our residents who are struggling to stay afloat,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “As a legislature we must address the urgent concerns facing our most vulnerable communities. I believe that this Budget Proposal is a great start in our efforts to help us provide vital assistance for our working class Californians who are in need of help during this most critical time.”

Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva Announces 2021-22 Committee Assignments

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Introduces Resolution to Commemorate Korean American Day

Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) participated in the most unique Organizational Session in our State’s 170-year illustrious history, due to the surging COVID-19 pandemic. The State Assembly held their first meeting at Sacramento’s Golden One Arena to allow for social distancing capabilities. Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva was thrilled to introduce Assembly Concurrent Resolution 2 in recognition of Korean American Day.  Every January, California celebrates Korean American Day to honor Korean American's immense contributions to every aspect of society.

The history of Korean immigration to America began when 102 courageous Korean adults and children landed in the State of Hawaii aboard the S.S. Gaelic on January 13, 1903.  By 1907, approximately 1,000 Korean Americans entered the United States mainland through San Francisco which has since been the center of the Korean American Community.  Today, with over 1.7 million Korean Americans across our nation, Southern California is home to two of largest Korean American communities in the United States.

"Korean Americans are the largest and fastest growing citizens of Orange County, making my district the second largest Korean American community in the nation," said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva.  "I am honored to represent a district that includes a Korean American community that continues to contribute to the fabric of our nation in the fields of finance, technology, law, medicine, education, sports, media, the arts, the military, government, science, business, and entertainment.”

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Responds to Governor Newsom's New Stay-at-Home Guidelines

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Governor Newsom provided an update to the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Governor dedicated most of his update for the need to issue new stay-at-home orders in the next week that will be centered on Regional areas.

"California is in its third and hopefully last surge of this devastating pandemic with the promise of vaccines this month and into the new year," said Governor Newson.  "We are reaching dangerous levels of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity and I will be issuing stay-at-home orders by region when their ICU capacity falls below 15 percent."

Stay-at-Home Order

• The five regions comprises of Northern California, Greater Sacramento, Bay Area, San Joaquin, and Southern California and each region encompasses multiple counties.

• The Stay-at-home order will go into effect when a region's ICU capacity falls below 15 percent and will remain in place for at least three weeks.

• After a Region is no longer under the order, counties will return to the state's current tier system.

"The Legislature and the Governor has been working to do everything in our power to help hospitals prepare for a surge while also supporting families, businesses, and essential workers," said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva.  "In the last month we have made funding available for small and medium-sized businesses; including non-profits and enacted one of the strongest worker protections with continued funding for housing-related needs."

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Congratulates California State University, Fullerton

Named 2020 Champion of Higher Education