“When your a child of God, he will protect you. The TRUTH always comes out. The lies, propaganda, and slander was not true about the nutrition center that our local paper ran. Nor was the lies and propaganda spread by my opponent true! I ask you vote values first , on Nov. 6th. God, Family, Country. “  Said John Bennett after reading todays Sequoyah County Times Article.

Oklahoma Ethics Commission executive director Marilyn Hughes told Oklahoma District 2 State Representative John Bennett he didn’t do anything wrong during an incident that occurred at the Sallisaw Nutrition Center on Sept. 13.

Bennett had three discussions with Hughes regarding the matter during recent days.

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Media Division

July 20, 2012

Bennett Honored at OK2A Cookout and Shoot

SALLISAW, Okla. – State Rep. John Bennett was name Freshman Legislator of the Year by OK2A.

The organization that promotes Second Amendment rights in Oklahoma held a concealed carry class, skeet shoot, cookout and fully-automatic shoot on July 14. Bennett received his award at 5:30 p.m.

“I did some skeet shooting, automatic weapons shooting and really enjoyed the event,” said Bennett, R-Sallisaw. “It was a great honor to be named Freshman Legislator of the Year by OK2A. I feel blessed to fight for my constituents’ right to bear arms, which they are guaranteed under the Second Amendment. I will continue to vigorously fight for our rights especially since President Barack Obama and his Democratic Administration tries to take away our right to bear arms. I am a huge supporter of the Second Amendment and other constitutional rights.”

Bennett was an author of the legislation signed into law this year that allowed licensed gun owners to carry their firearms openly.

According to the award, “In the Highest Recognition and appreciation to the Representative legislator who was the most aggressive defender of the return of the God Given right to self-preservation by authoring or advancing legislation while maintaining an “A+” voting record that reflects support for the U.S. Constitution and Second Amendment Right to keep and bear arms for the people of Oklahoma.”

Oklahoma House of Representatives
Media Division
July 13, 2012

Bennett Praises Governor’s Dialogue with Detroit Automakers

SALLISAW, Okla. – State Rep. John Bennett today praised Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and stated his support for her dialogue with Detroit automakers about reducing America’s independence on foreign oil and moving in the direction of using compressed natural gas.

The Sallisaw Republican said his district would benefit greatly if Americans begin to use compressed natural gas instead of foreign oil to power their vehicles.

“We have natural gas resources that could be tapped and boost the local economy. President Barack Obama obviously isn’t trying too hard to stop our dependency on foreign oil, so I’m glad to see Governor Mary Fallin showing the leadership and initiative to help move our country forward. I have always been an advocate of natural gas. We have great oil and natural gas resources in our state and we need to exploit them to their fullest capacity. I don’t understand why we send billions of dollars to foreign countries, some of whom are ideologically opposed to our way of life, when we have these resources locally,” Bennett said.
Compressed natural gas is not only a local resource, but is more efficient and cleaner than the use of oil, he said.
“It is a superior fuel and would boost our economy,” Bennett said.

Fallin and members of her Cabinet today announced they will visit Detroit on Monday to pitch a national compressed natural gas vehicle initiative to U.S. auto manufacturers. The move is both a cost-saving measure for states and a means to incentivize the manufacture of affordable and functional compressed natural gas vehicles.

The initiative, first announced by Fallin and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, attempts to establish the demand and incentive for auto manufacturers in the U.S. to design and sell a suitable CNG-powered passenger vehicle that can be used both by public fleets and private sector consumers.

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Media Division

June 18, 2012

Bennett Releases Names of State Chamber Judicial Rating Group
Memo shows that the members have a conflict of interest in rating Oklahoma judges

State Representative John Bennett today released the list of the members of the State Chamber Judicial Rating group, The Oklahoma Civil Justice Council, which has come under fire for their place to rate judges based on their pro-Chamber stance.

“This group tried to operate in secret,” said Bennett. “But we were able to obtain a copy of their meeting minutes, which shows just who exactly is behind this attempt to unduly influence Oklahoma judges.”

Bennett then showed the document that has the following individuals as members the State Chamber’s judicial rating group: Fred Morgan (President of the Oklahoma State Chamber), Mike Seney (State Chamber), Mark VanLandingham, Allen Wright, Henry Hood(General Counsel, Chesapeake), David Rainbolt (President of BancFirst), Roger Beverage (Executive Director of the Oklahoma Bankers Association), Mark Schell(Unit Corporation), Mike McDonald (Maxim Petroleum), Mike Terry (OIPA), Brad Krieger (State Chamber), and Jennifer Monies (State Chamber).

Most notable were Henry Hood, general counsel of Chesapeake energy, and David Rainbolt, president of BancFirst.

“There’s a pretty clear conflict of interest when you can find numerous appellate cases involving Chesapeake and BancFirst,” said Bennett. “And this doesn’t even include the potential court cases involving Chesapeake and their CEO, Aubrey McClendon’s purchase of new oil and gas wells.”

“This memo clearly shows that the Oklahoma Civil Justice Council is a blatant attempt to bully judges into deciding favorable cases for the State Chamber’s biggest donors,” continued Bennett. “And it’s about time that the people of Oklahoma stand up and say ‘no’ to any attempt to upend the Constitution.”

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Media Division

June 11, 2012

Marine Company Receives Firearm License Course

PHOTO: OK2A Deputy Director Don Spencer poses with the Anti-Tank Company, 4^th Marine Division out of Broken Arrow atCamp Gruber. Also pictured: State Rep. and Company First Sergeant John Bennett at Spencer’s left, Company Commander Maj. Bryan Cornelius of Sapulpa to the right behind Spencer.

OKLAHOMA CITY – At the request of state Rep. John Bennett, the OK 2nd Amendment Association offered a company of Marines a course designed to allow them to get a license to carry a firearm in Oklahoma.

“I am the Company First Sergeant of Anti-Tank Company, 4^th Marine Division out of Broken Arrow,” said Bennett, R-Sallisaw. “We were doing our two-week annual reserve training at Camp Gruber and I asked OK2A Deputy Director Don Spencer to provide the class to those Marines who didn’t have a license yet. He said it would be an honor and drove all the way from Oklahoma City to teach the course.”Bennett said Marines are highly trained, very proficient in the use of firearms, know gun safety and are all law-abiding.

“Marines are citizens that love and have made sacrifices to protect our freedom and specifically the rights guaranteed in our Constitution. I couldn’t think of a better group of individuals that I would want to have licensed to carry a firearm in our state. My Marines enjoyed the class. We appreciate organizations like OK2A who are working to protect and uphold our Second Amendment rights.”

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Media Division

June 6, 2012

Rep. John Bennett Calls For Disclosure from State Chamber

State Representative is alarmed over proposed judicial rating system

Sallisaw, Okla. ­– State Rep. John Bennett today called on State Chamber CEO Fred Morgan to disclose who is exactly behind their attempt to implement the judicial rating system through the soon-to-be-launched, Oklahoma Civil Justice Council.

“As a state representative, I completely respect the State Chamber’s attempt to voice their opinion about legislation that is being considered,” said Bennett. “Because the State Legislature is the proper avenue for outside groups to have their voices heard. However, I am outraged that any group is attempting to bully the independent judiciary here in Oklahoma, including the State Chamber’s Oklahoma Civil Justice Council.”

When asked why Bennett was opposed to the State Chamber’s judicial rating system, he replied, “The Appellate and Supreme Court justices have one litmus test when deciding cases: Is it Constitutional? Whether it’s pro-Chamber or anti-Chamber is not how our judges should be deciding law. That’s why I’m calling on Fred Morgan to release all information behind the Oklahoma Civil Justice Council. Who is really behind this and how much have they poured into this bully organization?”

Bennett continued, “And I call on all business owners who are members of the Chamber of Commerce to contact Fred Morgan and let him know that bullying judges is not the right way to influence legislation.”

John Bennett is a lifelong native of Sequoyah County and served in the U.S. Marines for over 18 years where he fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  He and his wife, Nicole, reside in Sallisaw with their children.

This budget has not passed yet because it is still in Debate.

Oklahoma State Budget Breakdown Proposal

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Media Division

May 24, 2012

Bennett Opposes Poorly-Crafted Tax Cut Plans

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. John Bennett said today he cannot support any of the current tax cut plans on the table.

“House Bill 3061 would raise taxes on the middle class and remove exemptions for lower income Oklahomans,” said Bennett, R-Sallisaw. “House Bill 3038 is a last-minute jumble that no one has had time to really look over carefully. In their current form, I do not and will not support these proposals.”

Bennett said he believes strongly in less government and lower taxes, but thinks both plans are nothing more than political posturing.

“How can you call a bill that raises taxes on a quarter of all Oklahomans a tax cut? I am 100 percent in favor of decreasing taxes and government, but I feel that these two proposals are nothing more than political posturing. Some of my colleagues want to pass anything that can be called a tax cut, even if it is a plan that will hurt Oklahomans,” said Bennett. “Here we are in the last days of session and we have more than one proposal and no consensus on how to proceed.”

Bennett said tax reform is too important an issue to hash out in the last days of session.

“My constituents have not had time to review these proposals and give me their feedback. I rely on my constituents and as their representative I need their input to ensure I vote in accordance with their wishes. These proposals would determine the next ten years of tax policy with a bill thrown together in the last days of session. We have a lot at stake here, including core services, which we must protect. I believe the tax triggers in House Bill 3038 are misleading and will likely trigger reductions even in a revenue shortfall year. If this happens it will hurt core services Oklahomans rely on. This is very irresponsible and unwise. We must pay as we go. We must run government like we run our own households. We certainly should not ask for a tax cut and turn around and vote for bond issues. That would be like maxing out my credit card and getting another credit card to pay it off.”

Bennett said Oklahomans deserve better from their Legislature.

“We owe it to our citizens to take our time, listen to our constituents and economic experts, and create a sound tax policy fully paid for so that we do not see our schools and other core services suffer in the future,” Bennett said.