Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group 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: Assemblymember
Political party affiliation: Democrat
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: Mayor and Councilmember, Fullerton
City where you reside: Fullerton
Campaign website or social media: www.sharonquirksilva.com
It’s no secret that California will play an outsized role in AI development and regulation. That was a big topic for the legislature this year, but what is one way you’d like to see the legislature tackle concerns about bias or transparency in the AI space or encourage innovation and start-ups? (Please be specific in your response, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
As a long-time teacher, I saw first-hand how technology had the power to unlock access to information for my students in ways previously unimaginable. I also saw first-hand how the sometimes painfully mundane process of things like textbook review played a critical role in ensuring information was truthful, accurate and complete. AI has the clear promise to provide the next leap in democratizing access to information. But it is not anti-innovation to say technology needs to come with guardrails. It’s just common sense.
Before California voters this year is a proposition to increase the state’s minimum wage to $18 per hour, the nation’s highest, by 2026. Do you support increasing the minimum wage in this way? Why or why not? (Please keep your answer to 150 words or less.)
I support Proposition 32. We need to continue to promote economic opportunities, including for those who too often do not share in the Golden State’s wealth.
This year, California faced a large budget deficit that put a strain on lawmakers’ ability to fund certain programs and projects going forward. What is one thing you believe the state should do to avoid such large deficits in the future? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit it to 150 words or less.)
I have been proud to support efforts to expand and fund the state’s rainy day funds. As difficult as cuts and delays to programs and projects were this year, they would have been catastrophic had we not made those investments in prior years. I will continue to advocate for building on these steps to save for the future.
Speaking of the budget, there are multiple proposed bond measures before voters this year. Is the state in a good place to issue bonds for state programs and infrastructure projects? Should certain programs or projects be prioritized over others? (Please be specific in your response, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
I was proud to vote to place both Proposition 2 and Proposition 4 on this November’s ballot to invest in our schools, boost the water supply and reduce the risk of wildfires. Just as rainy day funds allow the state to invest in its long-term fiscal stability, bonds serve an important role in allowing long-term investments into infrastructure projects critical to our future. As a 30-year teacher, who taught in classrooms built through education bonds, I know they remain an important fiscal tool for funding critical priorities.
Cost of living is high on the list of concerns among voters, particularly among younger people. What is one bipartisan proposal you have to alleviate concerns about high prices or the cost of living in California? (Please be specific in your response, and limit it to 200 words.)
Last year, I was proud to have two of my bills (AB 346 and AB 1308) included in a package to incentivize and reduce barriers to the development of more affordable housing. As a mother whose adult children have themselves struggled to secure housing they can afford as they begin to grow their own families, I know just how real these concerns are. Addressing affordability, especially for younger people, should be a bipartisan issue where Democrats and Republicans can work together to ensure the next generation can afford the same opportunities prior generations were afforded.
The legislature this year considered recommendations from a first-in-the-nation task force that considered how California could atone for past racism and discrimination against Black people, including potential compensation. What do you believe is the role of the state in atoning for the atrocities committed against Black people? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
I voted to establish the task force to consider how California could atone for past racism and discrimination against African Americans. I was also proud to co-sponsor ACR 135 which acknowledges the harms and atrocities committed by those who promoted, facilitated, enforced and permitted the institution of slavery. Just saying “slavery is a stain on our nation’s history” ignores how its impacts continue to affect our families and communities today. We need to continue to take steps to address these disparities if we are ever to move forward.
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently ordered state agencies to remove homeless encampments on state property and urged cities to follow through. What else do you propose the state do to help eradicate homelessness? (Please limit your response to 200 words or less.)
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.
Similarly, Gov. Gavin Newsom has urged county leaders to take advantage more of a new state law that makes it easier to place someone with severe mental health or substance abuse issues into conservatorships, an effort to keep more people out of homelessness. But local leaders in Southern California have said they need more time and resources to build, fund and staff more mental health facilities. Is there anything the legislature could — or should — do to aid communities struggling to find the resources to properly provide this type of mental health support? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit the response to 200 words or less.)
There is a reason I insisted on the Select Committee on Orange County Homelessness and Mental Health Services. One cannot treat the issues of homeless and mental health as separate. They are inextricably linked. It is why I have carried legislation to speed early intervention and mandate better care for the most severely mentally ill people, getting them the help will benefit both those in need but also our larger community by reducing those sleeping on the streets.
What’s the No. 1 song on your playlist while you’re on the campaign trail?
“Freedom” by Beyoncé.
Sourcing & Methodology
The Orange County Register sent questionnaires, based on current events and questions from readers, to candidates on the ballot in Orange County via email, phone and/or mail in August. Answers have been lightly edited only to correct spelling or grammar or to remove offensive language and hate speech.
