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Quirk-Silva, Chair of Jobs Committee, Works to Appropriate Funds for Small Business Technical Assistance

(SACRAMENTO) – As Chair of the California State Assembly Jobs Committee, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County), joined by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D – Corona) and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), testified at the California State Budget Subcommittee on State Government.  At today’s hearing, Quirk-Silva and Cervantes discussed the inclusion of a budget request of $20 million for small business technical assistance.

“Let us be absolutely sure we are providing a good deal for the real job creators in California – our small businesses,” said Quirk-Silva. “This $20 million will be provided through grants to Small Business Development Centers, and other federally-designated small business assistance centers. As the 6^th largest economy in the world, California must remain competitive as a national and global leader by supporting small businesses, job growth, and the infrastructure on which it relies.”

With this funding request, and Assembly Bill 2463 (AB 2463), Assemblymembers Quirk-Silva and Cervantes seek to help Californian businesses develop by establishing the Small Business Assistance Program. The program would provide matching funds to federally designated small business assistance centers, particularly to those committed to assisting businesses operated by veterans, women, and minorities. Research shows small businesses that receive quality business assistance are more likely to succeed, create jobs, and strengthen the economic viability of the neighborhood in which they are located.

Introduction of AB2521 calls for an End to Predatory Lenders Taking Advantage of Veterans Like those in the National Guard

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) introduces Assembly Bill 2521 (AB 2521) which would seek to stop predatory banking practices that plague reservists. Certain terminology in Military and Veteran Code, section 800 (MVC § 800) has been used as a weapon against reservists who are requesting a deferment of applicable loans and obligations when they prepare for deployment.

“There are bad actors taking advantage of reservists and the programs they use with their well-deserved benefits,” said Quirk-Silva. “Some lenders target reservists that seek payment deferral before being deployed. This often leads to higher loan amounts, and to our reservists and their families in a worse financial position than they had before deployment. Our men and women in uniform deserve better.”

While deployed, reservists like those in the National Guard, are subject to deferred payment deals from predatory lenders that seek to take advantage of reservists through differing interpretation of contractual language. For those serving in the National Guard, these practices are of paramount concern as thousands are frequently called for deployment to address the large amount of emergencies across the state in a given year.

“This simple, yet effective, amendment would seek to protect our heroes from predatory banking practices when reservists are activated,” said Quirk-Silva.

Reservists are not afforded legal assistance in preparing their personal financial documents and may not know if they are using the specific verbiage, in order to obtain the protections afforded.  Recently, servicemembers have experienced denial of the protections provided under MVC §800 by their financial institution under the premise that the reservists did not include the exact verbiage of “under penalty of perjury” in their letter to the financial institution.  As the servicemembers must provide official documentation of their orders to active military service to their obligor, it is redundant to require the current exacting verbiage, and to use this language as a loop-hole to deny a reservist’s protections under state law. 

This bill is sponsored by the National Guard Association of California (NGAC). “The NGAC thanks Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva for carrying this important legislation which will benefit the men and women who serve our country and our state in times of need”, said John Haramalis, President of the NGAC.

The bill will first be heard in the Assembly Committee on Veteran Affairs on April 24.

Annual Ceremony held in recognition of Women’s History Month

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County) and the California State Assembly honored Jo-Anne Prophete Matsuba as the 65th Assembly District Woman of the Year 2018. Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva recognized the Orange County leader for her community involvement during the annual Assembly Floor ceremony.

“Jo-Anne Prophete Matsuba exemplifies the true spirit of community, by reaching out to everyone in need as a neighbor, and a friend” said Quirk-Silva. “I am proud to recognize Jo-Anne for her overarching influence on, and service for, so many families in California. This award is one simple gesture to show gratitude for all of her efforts, and I am proud to recognize her remarkable accomplishments for Orange County.”

Jo-Anne Prophete Matsuba and her husband Howard began their lives together when Jo-Anne was working as a critical care nurse.  They have lived in Fullerton for the past 25 years and raised their two daughters, Stephanie and Michelle. Last year Jo-Anne completed 3 years as a member of the St. Juliana Consultative School Board, and is a long time member of the St. Juliana Choir.

“My Haitian born parents always taught us to give thanks to God for our blessings, and to give back,” said Matsuba. “My hope is that by helping others, in any small way, I will instill that same charitable spirit in my daughters.”