Times Standard: Lawmakers told COVID-19’s effect on tourism ‘nine times worse than 9/11’
“These figures don’t even account for the recent layoffs of Disney or the recent job reductions,” she said. “… (California is) the number 1 travel destination and when we are hit, we are hit hard.”
Across the state in 2019, visitors spent $144.9 billion in California travel. This year. the revenue is projected to dip to $66.1 billion in spending.
Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva hosts Committee Hearing on Tourism
Yesterday, I held my first committee hearing as the new Chair of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media. As a committee we gathered to hear from tourism experts on the impact of the pandemic on the industry. The tourism sector has been hit very hard in this pandemic and we are working hard to help all our sectors return back to business safely. If you are thinking of a short trip, choose California! #visitcalifornia #tourism
California Tourism Leaders Convene at State Capitol; Detail Huge Losses in Visitor Spending, Jobs, and Taxes
California Tourism Leaders Convene at State Capitol; Detail Huge Losses in Visitor Spending, Jobs, and Taxes
SACRAMENTO, CA – The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media gathered today to hear from tourism experts on the impact of the pandemic on the industry. Updated travel forecasts predict travel-related spending and taxes generated in the State are projected to lose billions of dollars than previously thought this year.
“The profound economic disruption caused by the pandemic has been felt by all sectors of our economy, but the tourism industry is bearing more of a burden than most,” said Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva, Chair of the Committee. “As California’s post-pandemic future begins to take shape, reviving our tourism and travel industry will play a vital role in restarting the economy and empowering the state.”
Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Welcomes Two New Project Homekey Investments Coming to Orange County
Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Welcomes Two New Project Homekey Investments Coming to Orange County
SACRAMENTO, CA - Today the Governor announced two New Project Homekey investments are headed to Orange County. Under the Homekey program, local entities will partner with the state to acquire and rehabilitate a variety of housing types, including, but not limited to hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and residential care facilities in order to serve people experiencing homelessness or who are also at risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
For one of the projects, Orange County will acquire a 60-unit motel that will be immediately rehabilitated and rapidly occupied as interim housing. The project will then be renovated and converted into permanent supportive housing. This project is intended to address the need for housing for people experiencing homelessness in the surrounding communities. The motel will serve as the central location for those experiencing homelessness in Orange County to receive wrap-around services.
“As the Chair of the Select Committee on Orange County Chronic Homelessness I have seen first-hand the need for permanent supportive housing here in North Orange County,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “Since the creation of the Navigation Centers in both Fullerton and Buena Park, along with the great work being done in the North Service Provider Area, we can really see the need for the next step of permanent supportive housing here in North Orange County, these two new Project Homekey projects will certainly provide a much needed service to our homeless community.”
Voice of OC: OC Business Reopenings, including Disneyland, Could Slow with New State Coronavirus Metric
Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu, Disney officials and Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) have been pressuring Gov. Gavin Newsom to release theme park reopening guidelines over the past month.
Orange County Health Care Agency Director and Public Health Officer But at a Wednesday news conference, Newsom said those guidelines won’t be coming out any time soon.
“It’s very complex. These are like small cities, small communities,” Newsom said.
Governor Signs Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva’s Mental Health Services Bill
Governor Signs Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva’s Mental Health Services Bill
Today the Governor signed Assembly Bill 2265 (AB 2265), which will authorize counties to use Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds to treat people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.