Ahead of the March primary, The Orange County Register compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Sharon Quirk-Silva
Current Job Title: State Assemblymember
Political Party Affiliation: Democrat
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: Fullerton City Councilmember and mayor
City where you reside: Fullerton
Campaign website or social media: www.sharonquirksilva.com
Gov. Newsom has been front and center lately in global affairs, from a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing climate action to a trip to Israel where he met with victims of the Hamas attack. Aside from the governor’s trips, what do you see as the role California should play when it comes to foreign affairs?
As the world’s fifth-largest economy, and the largest state in the world’s most influential country, California cannot ignore its global role. Within my district, whether from our vibrant Korean-American community to Little Arabia, I am regularly reminded of the impact world events can have on our communities at home. California can and should continue to promote the state globally, both to promote our economy and our shared values.
There have been recent efforts at the local level to change voting requirements — from a proposed voter ID requirement in Huntington Beach to an effort to open up voting to noncitizens in Santa Ana. What changes, if any, should be made to California’s voting laws?
Put simply, California has and should continue to be a leader in reducing barriers and making it easier to vote. In my time in the legislature, I have been proud to support many reforms, from making it easier to register at the DMV to creating opportunities to register on Election Day to mailing every voter a ballot to allowing ballots to be mailed up to Election Day to allowing voters to cast their ballot at any polling place in the county to creating a mechanism for voters to correct signature issues.
These reforms have increased the share of eligible voters who are registered, contributed to record-setting turnout in 2020 (which we hopefully will break in 2024) and steadily reduced the number of voters whose ballots are rejected, allowing for a fuller, more representative democracy.
The latest state budget projections show California’s deficit has swelled to a record $68 billion, leading to calls for spending cuts. Give us two specific ways California could address the deficit.
First, I have been proud to support efforts to expand and fund the state’s rainy-day funds during prior budget cycles. Current budget projections make it clear that clouds are in the sky and we may need to tap into some of those funds to address the current deficit.
Second, some one-time spending allocations, even for projects that I strongly support, may need to be delayed until the state is on firmer financial ground. The need to economize during difficult times is something every household is familiar with, and taxpayers should expect the same from their government.
Speaking of the budget, what are your top three budget priorities?
My current legislative priorities are:- Education: As a former teacher I am particularly focused on education issues.- Homelessness and housing: As a former mayor, I have a particular interest in issues of housing and affordability (particularly homelessness which has directly impacted my family).- Jobs and the economy: As the recent chair of the Arts and Entertainment Committee, I have focused on the unique role these play in the economy of Orange County and southern California.
The legislature garnered national headlines when an effort to increase penalties for child sex trafficking initially stalled. How would you, in the legislature, balance criminal justice reform with public safety concerns?
I voted in September for SB 14 to increase penalties for child sex trafficking. I have always viewed the importance of protecting the safety and well-being of children through the lens of a 30-year school teacher who was responsible for protecting a new classroom full of young vibrant lives every year. I believe in balanced solutions. I have opposed relaxing penalties for serious crimes while supporting investments in early intervention/prevention programs. We can both give law enforcement the tools they need while also addressing root causes. We can embrace that addressing systematic institutional racism will ultimately make all residents safer.
Homelessness continues to be a concern for Californians. While there is no simple solution, what is one proposal you have that could reduce homelessness in our communities?
As someone whose family has been personally impacted by homelessness and as the chair of the Select Committee on Orange County Homelessness and Mental Health Services, this is a top priority. We need comprehensive solutions, including expanding mental health services to those currently experiencing homelessness, ensuring all communities contribute to providing transitionary housing and lowering housing costs for all. I’ve written new laws to speed early intervention, improve state planning for homeless services and mandate better care for the most severely mentally ill people on our streets with stronger drug treatment requirements.
The governor recently signed a law that set a first-in-the-nation minimum wage standard for healthcare workers. Should minimum wage standards vary by industry? Why or why not?
I voted in favor of SB 525. If the last few years have taught us anything, it is the critical role that healthcare workers play, not only in protecting the individual lives of everyday Californians but in protecting the economic health of our state’s economy across so many other industries. We need to continue to promote economic opportunities, including for those at the bottom of the wage scale who too often do not share in the Golden State’s wealth.
What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?
The state needs to continue incentivizing the adoption of renewables, greater energy efficiency, water conservation and the expanded use of low- or no-emission vehicles. However, we often focus on global problems and forget local solutions. One of my proudest achievements in the legislature to date was securing funding to preserve open space in Coyote Hills. It is not something that will make national headlines but preserves one of the few remaining open spaces in North County for all to enjoy.
What is one capital improvement project you’d like to see financed and completed in your district?
I have been leading the fight to establish Orange County’s first veteran’s cemetery. Things in Sacramento often take too long, but after 10 years that dream is closer than ever to becoming a reality.
In late 2022, I was proud to stand with those who fought to protect our country at the flag-raising event in Gypsum Canyon. This project has been an example of how government can still cooperate across political divides. As a Democrat, I have fought to secure $24 million in funding from the state and stood at the flag-raising next to Republican Supervisor Don Wagner who helped to secure $20 million in funding from the county. It will be a solemn day when a fight I began during my first term in the legislature finally leads to the first internments for Orange County’s proud veterans.
The state recently began rolling out the CARE Court program in some counties, the state-funded effort that allows first responders, family and other designated people to petition a court to have someone with untreated severe psychotic disorders receive treatment and services. What other ways can the state prioritize mental health care for its residents, including those with less severe disorders?
We need to better recognize that problems of mental health, substance abuse and homelessness are inextricably linked. That is why I authored legislation streamlining access to services for those with co-occurring mental health and substance use problems. We need to do better in getting services to those in crisis.
We also need to embrace that it is cheaper, more effective and contributes to better outcomes if we can reach those with issues before they are in crisis. The need for those comprehensive solutions is one of the reasons why I voted to support the placement of the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond and Act on the March ballot and urge voters to support Proposition 1 in 2024.
Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.
Common sense cooperation yields the best results.
What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?
None. It’s one of the reasons campaigning is bad for your health.
