Javier Reyes Jr., field representative of Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, is on campus once a month for the benefit of Bakersfield College faculty, staff, and students. Reyes explained that he is doing this for three main reasons: communication, assistance to the students, and participation.
Reyes said, “We want to become good communicators of her legislation and her voting record on bills in the state capital.”
He said that Grove is always willing to assist students with state agencies. For instance, Reyes said that if a student were to apply for a license and it was taking too long, Grove would be happy to call and expedite that process.
Reyes also said that Grove is willing to participate in events on campus. He explained that Grove is open to being a guest speaker for club events and other affairs on campus. Grove would also be willing to hand out awards and be involved in whatever way necessary.
“In the past, the assemblywoman has made it a priority to be here,” Reyes said.
Reyes said that his main focus is just to work with students on any concerns they might have.
He explained that although the smoking issue on campus is an anxiety for a lot of students, it isn’t government’s place to have an opinion on whether the campus should continue to pursue the policy of becoming completely smoke free.
“We believe, as a principle of democracy, the government closest to the people, local government, is the best kind,” Reyes said in reference to the Student Government Association. “We create a bigger mess when big government interferes with local government. So it’s not that we don’t care or have an opinion, it’s not our place.
“That’s for the students to decide.”
Reyes said that he has received communication from people requesting that Kern Community College District be audited because of the lawsuit going on about the sanctions on the football team. He said that Grove doesn’t have the authority to audit KCCD.
Although he said that they are not pursuing any sort of audit, he did explain that they are aware of the situation and will continue to study the background.
Reyes also elaborated on the unique relationship he is bringing to BC .
“To my knowledge, the KCCD is the only one that has their elected official send a representative to their campus every month,” he said.
Reyes has a mobile office at Cerro Coso Community College as well as BC. He explained that Grove is also active with Taft College as well because it is in her district.
Reyes said that he is open to answering students’ questions about politics and government as well as listening to concerns. “We’re an open book,” he said. “I’m happy to tackle those questions and get them an honest answer.”
Reyes explained that he has talked with students about politics in the past. “I was on campus answering questions to students about what exactly Prop 30 was and where the money was supposed to go,” he said. “I have also been sharing with students that prop 30 money did not go to classrooms, teachers, or students. In fact, they used that money to pay off old retirements.”
He said that they feared that the money would not go where they suggested, which prompted them to vote no, but the proposition was passed anyway.
According to Reyes, Grove, along with some other Republicans, put together a tuition freeze bill that would have locked tuition rates in place for seven years, but he said the “Democrats killed it in committee.”
Reyes said the Democrats have a “super majority” and therefore control everything. He said that if the Democrats want a certain agenda passed, then it gets passed and there is nothing Grove can do to stop it.
“Some people get turned off when I talk about Republicans and the Democrats, but we’d be lying to you if we said it wasn’t like that in the Capitol,” he said.
There are intern positions available for any students who are interested. Reyes said that they are interested in people from “all walks of life,” so any students are welcome to apply. It is not restricted to just political science majors.
Students are welcome to meet with Reyes during his office hours of noon to 1 p.m. He will be on campus each third Thursday of the month. SGA has offered him a shared office space in the SGA Lounge at the Student Government and Activities Office to which he was very thankful for, stating that this would not be possible without the help of the SGA.
Reyes urges clubs and any students interested to get involved and stay connected with Grove via social media websites like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
Grove’s pages can be found by searching “Shannon Grove” on each website.