OKLAHOMA CITY - State Representative John Bennett (R-Sallisaw) took to social media Wednesday night to attempt to clarify remarks made in the well of the state House of Representatives this week.
Speaking to his fellow legislators, Bennett noted that in his opinion, the heads of some agencies were using scare tactics when talking about budgetary issues.
“The agencies getting the money are telling constituents the sky is falling. The agency is telling our citizens they are going to cut the services to the most vulnerable.” Bennett stated. “That is terrorism. We should not be negotiating with terrorists, period. These agencies are using our citizens as pawns. It’s not right and somebody needs to stop them. That is where we come in.”
Bennett stated the following via his Facebook page Wednesday night.
“Attention: during my debate on the House Floor today I stated the State Agencies are always hollering “the sky is falling!” And telling our vulnerable citizens they will have to cut services to them unless the Agency gets more money. Which in turn prompts the citizens to call us to send more money to said Agency. I said it was sad that our citizens are being used by the Agency as pawns to extort money from the legislature. That we should hold these Agencies accountable and make sure the money gets to our most vulnerable. I stated this is terrorism (economic) by these Agencies and we shouldn’t negotiate with terrorist. So, that leads me to a clarification because the fake news is running with this.
I WAS REFERRING TO THE (AGENCY HEADS) HOLDING OUR CITIZENS HOSTAGE BY THREATENING TO CUT THEIR SERVICES.
Besides, I was talking about Agency budgets. Only the Top agency heads decide where the money goes. Specifically, directors who All make 6 digit salaries.
I WAS NOT CALLING ANY HARD WORKING EMPLOYEE A TERRORIST AS THEY ARE TRYING TO IMPLY.
Just wanted to clear that up since Everyone gets offended now a days.”
Governor Mary Fallin apparently didn’t take it the same way, as she took to her own social media account posting a MSN article to the story, and then taking Bennett to task for his comments.
“It is unacceptable behavior for a lone legislator to call state agencies and their employees terrorists.” Fallin said via her own Facebook account. “An apology should be given. I appreciate all of our state employees who serve our state every day. Both of my parents were dedicated state employees.”
Bennett, who represents Sequoyah County in District 2 is serving in his second term in the Oklahoma House, having defeated challenger Tom Stites in the 2016 primary election. He ran unopposed in 2014.
