Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva 2019 End of the Year Legislative Highlights

SACRAMENTO, CA: Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D- Orange County) As the deadline for Governor Newsom to sign or veto legislation concluded, marking the end of the 2019 legislative session, the Assemblywoman reflects on her legislative and budget accomplishments and priorities.

Housing and Homelessness were a central focus for legislation and budget matters in the 2019 legislative year as California struggles with unattainable home ownership, high rents, keeping up with the demand of new housing development, and the increasing rise in homelessness, € said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva.  Issues important to the district and the state including our work on education, transparency, higher education, and veteran €™s affairs as well as securing state funds for Orange County were also undertaken this legislative year. €

ASSEMBLYWOMAN QUIRK-SILVA ADDRESSES CALIFORNIA COLLEGE CHALLENGES

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva’s (Orange County) legislation, addressing the growing concerns and issues affecting California Higher Education have been signed the Governor.  

Assembly Bill (AB) 136 prevents anyone found guilty in the college admissions scandal from taking tax deductions for donations made to the charities involved.  The intention of the bill is to prevent scandals of this magnitude from being replicated.  In March 2019, more than fifty people, many from California, were indicted by federal prosecutors with charges ranging from alleged bribes paid to college coaches, standardized college testing administrators paid for illegal activity, and parents who paid contributions used for bribes so that their children can secure admissions to the best universities that the United States has to offer.

A former Educator, Quirk-Silva went on to add “It is essential that we bring back integrity to our college admissions, and the Governor signing our bill into law makes this reality. The criminal actions have victimized hard working and low-income students who were denied admissions because of the actions of those involved – and they were able to do so at the expense of the California taxpayers. These actions will not be tolerated and my bill intends to hold those accountable,” said Quirk-Silva.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN QUIRK-SILVA’S HOUSING BILLS BECOMES LAW

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bills (AB) 139 and 143 authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (Orange County), focused on California’s housing and homelessness crisis, has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN QUIRK-SILVA’S VETERAN’S CEMETERY LEGISLATION GETS GOVERNOR’S NOD

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill (AB) 368 authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), establishing a Veteran’s Cemetery in Southern California, has been signed into law.

“I am proud this legislation was signed into law to provide a new veteran’s cemetery for California’s Veteran’s and their families,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva.  “Throughout my terms in service, many individuals and Veteran’s groups have passionately advocated for a cemetery in our region."

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva’s Legislation to Help Visually Impaired Students Heads to Governor

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill (AB) 947 authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County), promotes education that will maximize the full potential of students who are visually impaired, passed and is headed to the Governor’s Desk.

“As a former teacher, I recognize the need for there to be no uncertain terms when students require additional resources and consideration to succeed,” said Quirk-Silva. “The fact that visual impairments fall into this category is obvious.  What is not always obvious is the full scope of redressing educational needs and attainment.”

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a set of knowledge and skills in which instruction or services, or both, may be beneficial to a pupil who is blind, has low vision, or is visually impaired.  The ECC includes skills in areas such as the use of braille or large print media, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, socialization, independent living, and sensory efficiency.

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva’s Work to Resolve Homelessness in Orange County Moves to Governor

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 143 (AB 143) authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), addressing California’s homelessness crisis, passed on the legislative floor and is headed to the Governor’s Desk.

“California has the highest rate of homelessness in the nation.  In fact, recent statistics show that throughout our state, we have seen an increase in the number of homeless individuals,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva.  “Since 2017, homelessness is up by forty-two percent in Orange County.  To resolve this crisis, we need an array of innovative strategies including both short and long-term solutions.”

If the specified counties or cities find it essential, they may choose to utilize the bill to address short-term homeless needs.  They would be required to develop an ordinance outlining a plan that would include long-term permanent housing strategies for their communities.  The California Department of Housing and Community Development would then be responsible to review and approve the ordinance to ensure the health and safety of California is not compromised.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN QUIRK-SILVA’S LEGISLATION TO STOP COLLEGE CHEATS ADVANCES TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 136 (AB 136) authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), in response to the College Admissions Scandal, passed the State Legislature and is headed to the Governor’s Desk.

“Admissions to colleges and universities have become increasingly competitive.  To make matters worse, a study found that at thirty-eight colleges in the United States, including Ivy League Schools; that more students came from the top one percent of the income scale than from the entire bottom 60 percent,” said Quirk-Silva.  “The study underlines that students from low to middle income families have even less of a chance of being admitted to these top colleges.”

Proposed Veteran Cemetery Bill Takes New Step Forward

Orange County, CA - Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva is taking action to bring veteran organizations and the City of Irvine together as partners, to fulfill the dream of an Orange County Cemetery to honor the Veterans who have served our nation.

“I believe that our work to bring a veteran cemetery to Orange County is long overdue.” said Quirk-Silva. “AB 368 will reflect the views of Irvine city leaders, legislators, as well as most every veteran organization in the region.” continued Quirk-Silva.  The bill, as proposed to be amended, will authorize a site on the former El Toro base that is known as the “Golf Course Site.” The new proposed site addresses both school and neighborhood issues. In addition, funding is almost complete. The measure also includes a directive that states the funds are to be protected for the cemetery.

 

Assemblywoman Honors 25 Years of Super Senior Saturdays at Buena Park Senior Center

BUENA PARK — Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva (Orange County) presents the Buena Park Senior Activity Center with a Resolution in honor of the 25^th Annual Super Senior Saturday.  The Buena Park Senior Activity Center Super Senior Saturday event attracts baby-boomers and seniors throughout the entire Southern California Region each year.

“It is important that we all remember that our aging population deserves to enjoy their lives with dignity and respect,” said Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva. “I am honored to present this resolution to the Buena Park Senior Center, as their consistent service and commitment to the safety and well-being of Aging Californians is truly admirable.”

 

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva presses for housing opportunities in North Orange County with Fullerton Armory Re-Opening

ORANGE COUNTY — Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) announced that the Fullerton and Santa Ana Armories will re-open for the Winter Shelter Program (WSP) in agreement with the Army National Guard. The emergency homeless shelters will open earlier, beginning October 15, 2019 and remain open through April 15, 2020.  The Armories will provide much needed shelter to homeless individuals during the winter season.

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D - Orange County) continues to combat the homelessness epidemic in Orange County.  The Orange County legislator’s priority remains the issue of housing and homelessness, Quirk-Silva sits as the Chair of the Orange County Chronic Homelessness Sub-Committee.  Along with her committee, she continues to work with local

and county government and nonprofit leaders on innovative ways to resolve the housing and homelessness crisis plaguing Orange County.

“There is not a single solution to resolving the housing crisis in California.  But to make our solutions a reality it requires resources and coordination between all parties,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “We must consider every approach in a comprehensive and compassionate manner, so we can improve the quality of life for Californians, and it starts with working alongside our local leaders.”