Legislation authored by Hayward Assemblymember Bill Quirk that would allow PG&E to pay off damages related to the destructive NorCal wildfires last year with state-backed bonds has been labeled by some critics as a bailout for the utility. The bill… Read More ›
Bill Quirk
GET THE LEAD OUT! Bill Quirk lambastes the lead and paint industry
It may be one of the most dastardly political schemes in recent state history. After the lead and paint industry in California was recently ordered to pay penalties that could run into the hundreds of millions to remedy illegal lead… Read More ›
Joseph Hilson, three-term Hayward councilmember, passes
Joseph Hilson served on the Hayward City Council from 1992 to 2004. HAYWARD CITY COUNCILJoseph Hilson, a three-term Hayward councilmember, who was an early adopter of technology in local government, has died. Hilson was elected in 1992 and served through… Read More ›
Quirk bill seeks to avoid screwing the pooch in divorce settlements
Assemblymember Bill Quirk and his dog Luna. 20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTThe halcyon days of a new relationship often extends to include the adoption of pets. But in instances where the partnership dissolves, the couple’s fur babies are often caught in the… Read More ›
Quirk introduces bill allowing public pot use at special events
Assemblymember Bill Quirk has long been a strong supporter of cannabis. 20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTWith the East Bay on the cusp of becoming awash in legal cannabis, a bill introduced Monday by Hayward Assemblymember Bill Quirk would afford local governments the… Read More ›
Quirk helps Assembly committee turn away concealed carry weapons bill
Assemblymember Bill Quirk wasn’t in the mood Tuesday to debate concealed guns. 20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTRepublican gubernatorial candidate and Assemblymember Travis Allen confidently laid out a case Tuesday for reform of the state’s concealed carry permitting rules. “Innocent Californians deserve a… Read More ›
Quirk co-authors bill requiring ‘panic buttons’ for hotel maids in danger of sexual harassment
Assemblymember Bill Quirk 20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTMaids and other hotel employees who find themselves alone in rooms with guests in a daily basis often face high incidents of sexual harassment, surveys have found. And with the issue of sexual harassment casting… Read More ›
2017 Year in East Bay Politics: The wild and wacky: Let’s Taco About It and Bill Quirk ‘Jumps Around’
2017 YEAR IN EAST BAY POLITICS>>>>The state legislature decides in January that a new portrait of Assemblymember Bill Quirk would be a good idea for his 20th District website. The resulting creation, though, inparts vampire-like features to Quirk’s face. Funny thing, according… Read More ›
5 THINGS I THINK ABOUT EAST BAY POLITICS
Assemblymember Bill Quirk needs a signature legislative achievement and he needs it to happen soon. ELECTION 2018➤I think the burgeoning scandal in Sacramento with legislators meting out punishment in secret to colleagues accused of sexual harassment in the workplace is… Read More ›
Bill Quirk jumps up, jumps up and gets down!
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBillQuirkAD20%2Fvideos%2F1725361617482866%2F&width=500&show_text=false&height=893&appId 20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTHayward Assemblymember Bill Quirk just became the coolest elected official in the state legislature. On Sunday, he posted a Facebook video of himself hopping to the beat of the hip-hop classic “Jump Around.” Quirk was attending the… Read More ›
During marathon legislative session, Bill Quirk walks 52 laps around Assembly floor
20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTGoing back to his days on the Hayward City Council, a departing colleague once noted with a smile that Bill Quirk’s surname matched his personality. Assemblymember Bill Quirk, in fact, fully embraces his quirkiness and it showed again… Read More ›
Quirk’s Mylar balloon bill is vetoed by the governor
Assemblymember Bill Quirk called Gov. Jerry Brown’s veto “misguided.” 20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTLegislation that would have added criminal liabilities for those who willfully release metallic helium balloons at power lines was vetoed Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown. The bill, authored by… Read More ›
San Leandro councilman says dispensary permit holder lobbied council colleague’s employer
San Leandro Councilmember Pete Ballew slammed the city’s second dispensary permit holder for acting unethically. SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILThe cross section of cannabis and politics clashed Monday night in San Leandro after one elected official said the group seeking to… Read More ›
Ro Khanna endorsed Kimberly Ellis for state party chair, but didn’t vote for her
Rep. Ro Khanna 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTLt. Gov. Gavin Newsom last month famously announced support for both candidates in the hard-fought state Democratic Party chair race. But in the aftermath of the contentious campaign won by Los Angeles Democratic Party Chair… Read More ›
Bonta, Thurmond, Quirk join new Assembly Progressive Caucus
STATE ASSEMBLY Last January, when a groundswell of progressive angst coarsed through the veins of local activists hoping to secure spots as delegates to last weekend’s state convention, many in the East Bay were surprised to learn the most left-leaning… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA — May 5-11 — AC TRANSIT’s school bus controversy continues – Water rates going up? – ‘Compassionate’ UNION CITY – More HAYWARD Housing
THE WEEK OF MAY 5-11After Tuesday night in Union City it’s likely the Hayward City Council will be sitting quite alone when it comes to taking no official stance toward President Trump’s immigration rhetoric and policies. Of course, what were… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA — Mar 31-Apr 6 — Rent rehash in ALAMEDA — BILL QUIRK takes on balloons — FREMONT begins council reforms
THE WEEK OF MAR. 31-APRIL 6Saturday is April Fool’s Day. Sadly this first item isn’t a prank. The city of Hayward is celebrating the life of labor leader Cesar Chavez at City Hall on Saturday morning. Aside from Chavez’s inspiring… Read More ›
Eden Health District CEO says Bonta wants dissolution solely for their assets, not reasons stated
Eden Health District CEO Dev Mahadevan EDEN HEALTH DISTRICTAlameda County elected officials and two East Bay assemblymembers have asserted for the past year that the Eden Health District no longer provides health care grants for its central county residents and… Read More ›
Bonta’s bill to help public defenders better represent undocumented immigrants passes committee
Assemblymember Rob Bonta appearing Tuesday before the Assembly Public Safety Committtee. 18TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTAn assembly bill that would increase training and resources for public defenders in order to represent undocumented immigrants passed its first step legislative step Tuesday. The Assembly… Read More ›
Using the President’s favorite social media site, East Bay officials respond to Trump’s inauguration
PRESIDENT | Donald Trump’s effective use of Twitter throughout the campaign and the presidential transition dominated headlines. On the day of Trump’s inauguration as the nation’s 45th president, many East Bay elected officials used the same social media site to… Read More ›
What’s up with Assemblymember Bill Quirk’s new portrait?
The new portrait of Assemblymember Bill Quirk, left, featured on his official website only vaguely looks like the three-term lawmaker. On the right, Quirk’s old headshot. ASSEMBLY | 20TH DISTRICT | For many state legislators, the beginning of a new… Read More ›
Bonta named Assistant Majority Leader
Assemblymember Rob Bonta addressing the Alameda City Council last December. PHOTO/Zac Goldstein ASSEMBLY |East Bay Assemblymember Rob Bonta’s rise to the leadership of the state party continued with his appointment as assistant majority leader. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon unveiled leadership… Read More ›
Non-partisan voter guide urges support for Congressman ‘Eric Swallowable’
A slate card this week urged independents to vote for Eric Swallowable. CONGRESS | 15TH DISTRICT |ELECTION 2016 |A slate card sent to some East Bay homes this week refers to 15th Congressional District Rep. Eric Swalwell as “Eric Swallowable.”… Read More ›
EBCampaign: MIKE HONDA’s cyber shot will have lasting effects; ELLEN CORBETT’s opponent loves her; Bacon!
38 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY |Granted, there is still six weeks before voters in the nationally watched 17th Congressional District register all of their votes. Much can still happen in this suddenly raucous and hard-hitting race. But the hit Rep…. Read More ›
Governor signs bill limiting Eden Health District’s administrative spending
EDEN HEALTH DISTRICT | Legislation that could be the first nail in the Eden Health District’s coffin was signed last week by Gov. Jerry Brown. The new law, authored by East Bay Assemblymember Rob Bonta, requires the struggling Eden Health… Read More ›
Miley’s advisory board chair tells Castro Valley to vote out Wieckowski, Quirk
Assemblymember Bill Quirk may not know why he deserved to be singled-out during a tumultuous meeting May 9 in Castro Valley. CASTRO VALLEY | Some members of Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley’s hand-picked community advisory board in Castro Valley don’t… Read More ›
Legislation prodding Eden Health District to spend more on services passes Assembly committee
Assemblymember Rob Bonta’s AB 2737 is one of two bills involving the Eden Health District. EDEN HEALTHCARE DISTRICT |The future of the Eden Health District is again being threatened. Legislation authored by Assemblymember Rob Bonta that intends to force the… Read More ›
Rep. Eric Swalwell sure is fond of Bryan Parker’s campaign for supervisor
Is Rep. Eric Swalwell telegraphing an intent to issue an endorsement for Bryan Parker? ALCO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS | DISTRICT 4 |Just a whispers of whether Rep. Eric Swalwell will endorse Bryan Parker for Alameda County’s District Four supervisorial campaign… Read More ›
G’day mate! Bonta, Wieckowski take another trip together
State Sen. Bob Wieckowski and Asm Rob Bonta ASSEMBLY | The East Bay’s legislative odd couple–Oakland Assemblymember Rob Bonta and Fremont State Sen. Bob Wieckowski–have traveled the world together in recent years. The duo has hobnobbed twice together on the beaches… Read More ›
Repercussions for Bonta’s failed bid for speaker; he loses powerful chairmanship
Assemblymember Rob Bonta gets a downgrade as new chair of public employees committee. PHOTO/Steven Tavares ASSEMBLY | 18TH DISTRICT | There are rewards and inherent risks when elected officials seek to expand their power. On Thursday, Oakland Assemblymember Rob Bonta… Read More ›