By Kyle D. Loveless

Recently, our state legislature was given an extra benefit just for being elected. Each legislator’s health care “allowance” was raised from $200 per month to over $1500, roughly a 600% increase! In essence, they were given a pay raise without anyone noticing. Guess who has to pay for their aspirin… you and I, more importantly, our children.

We have some serious problems with our priorities in this state. Our education system needs an overhaul. Our roads and bridges are falling apart. Our businesses and our citizens struggle under the weight of taxes. Our state should be taking measures to ensure that we will thrive in our second century, not take a step back.

The reasoning for the increase is that legislators are state employees and deserve benefits equivalent to those state employees get.

James Farris, a member of the commission who approved the increase, said, “It seemed appropriate to me that all state employees be treated the same. The disparity was so dramatic, it seemed to me to get people back on a level playing field.”

Pardon me, but I must say, “Hogwash!”

According to news reports, Mr. Farris also went on to say he “did not know how much this increase was going to cost.” What? Really? Since when do officials approve additional taxpayer-funded benefits without knowing what the costs are?

The commission that oversees the salaries and benefits for legislators mentioned that they were responding to a legislators’ spouse. I find this outrageous.

Our state legislators’ compensation is already among the highest in the nation, especially considering that the legislature only meets from February until the end of May. State employees work year around. Their job is their career. Legislators are supposed to have other employment since they are in session less than half the year. Elected legislators know the drill. If you seek elected office for the extra benefits, you need don’t need to be in office in the first place.

I’m astounded by the audacity of elected leaders who believe they are entitled to increased health benefits when the average Oklahoman struggles to keep health insurance. Health care costs are expensive, both for businesses and individuals. Our leaders should look for solutions to this problem, not simply drain taxpayers further to increase their own benefits.

Taxpayers want more out of our government. When we have teachers having to purchase paper and chalk, we need to set real, honest priorities. I don’t think that increasing health care benefits 600% for our part-time legislators should rank among the top priorities.

Our roads and bridges need help now. Infrastructure needs abound throughout the state. Just one example is Sara Road in Mustang which remains undeveloped because of political infighting about who should pay for it. We need leaders who will use their position and resources to build a better state, not a better benefits package for themselves.

Our education system needs a transfusion of competition, higher standards, and more parental involvement. We do not need 535 school administrative districts. It is embarrassing when Texas and Florida both have fewer districts than we do. Administrative costs sponge all the money from the teachers, principals, classrooms, and students. We need to do something about it, but everyone is afraid to even talk about this because of backlash from the education lobby. We need leaders who aren’t afraid to do the right thing even if it isn’t popular.

Oklahomans have survived tornados, the Dust Bowl, oil booms and busts, and we are stronger because of it. We deserve leaders who share that Oklahoma spirit, leaders who share our belief in hard work and helping a neighbor in need, not trying to get every benefit that is permissible on the backs of the taxpayer. It’s downright shameful. It is a privilege and honor to represent Oklahomans at the state capitol, and they deserve better than this

Labels: Decision '08, Kyle Loveless

Posted at 6:11 AM |   

Candidate Braves Heat to Walk from Mustang to Moore

Oklahoma City, OK – Businessman and Oklahoma State Senate Republican candidate Kyle D. Loveless will be making an unusual trip in his grassroots campaign by literally walking from one end of the district to the other in midst of the August heat.

“I have already knocked on the doors of over 4,000 voters all across the district. I’m spending evenings and Saturdays after work talking and listening to people to find out what they want in their next Senator and what they want from the State Capitol,” said Loveless.

In the hottest month of the year, Loveless believes that the time spent will be well worth it to get to know the people and the businesses along the route.

“What better month than August to walk from Mustang to Moore? Oklahomans and the voters of Senate District 45 don’t want a fat-cat, do-nothing Senator. They want a Senator willing to work hard to get things done. They want someone who won’t shirk from the challenges or tough fights. Walking 45 miles in the heat of an Oklahoma August won’t be easy, but it will be exciting.”

“Voters want to know that the person they elect is willing to work for the job. Whether managing our family business, Loveless Shoes, or walking in 100 degree heat, I’m no stranger to challenges, I am sure there will be plenty of hot air, just like down on 23rd and Lincoln. People will know that I will work for them as hard as I work at this campaign,” said Loveless.

Loveless will begin his walk in Canadian County on August 28th at I-40 and Mustang Road and will conclude the walk in Cleveland County, the next day August 29th. Along the way, Loveless will be making stops at the Mustang Town Center for a community meeting, the Moore Rotary lunch, and will be walking the old downtown of Moore.

He will be available to the media through his cell phone, 405-640-0740. He also welcomes any member of the press to would like to walk a portion of the route with him.

Labels: Decision '08, Kyle Loveless

Posted at 3:47 PM |   

By Kyle D. Loveless

Indulge me and let me give you an example.

Everyone like me needs to lose a little weight. So I decide to go to a gym and the gym offers a personal trainer. I am excited, I have never had a personal trainer, I could use one, so I sign up.
For months, I pay my dues to the gym, but then on top I pay extra for the personal trainer. Months go by, I do everything the trainer asks, but somehow I see no results, my weight is still the same. At the end of my contract for six months, the trainer comes to me and says, “You just need to expand your regime to keep up with the others that are training more than you. I need more money and you need to train more.”

Would you go back to the same trainer if after months you put money into them, and after no results, they not only asked for more money, but for you to come in more? I know I would not, but somehow, Sandy Garrett keeps coming back for more.

It seems that every few years, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett changes the goal line. When the US Chamber of Commerce give Oklahoma schools an F, she does not accept responsibility and try to improve, she complains that the tests were skewed.

Even the Moore American’s own Scott Carter jumped on the bandwagon of the idea of expanding the school year.

What I would like to see is accountability and responsibility and results, and more importantly above all else, I would like to see our children get the best education. Funding is at record levels, teachers are paid more now than ever before, and we now have the biggest education coup, the education lottery.

So why are there still problems with public education in Oklahoma?

First, we need a transfusion of competition in our education system. Schools within districts need to compete for funding, with good schools being rewarded and underperforming schools held accountable. School vouchers, tax credits for homeschoolers, magnet schools, whatever it takes to jump start our system, on behalf of the education of our children.

Second, just as competition will rise the level of excellence in our system, those quality teachers should be rewarded. There should be a multi factor test in whether or not a teacher is a good one or not. Peer review, principle input, parental input even student input and scores should be taken into factor in determining who deserves raises based on merit and those that should not.

Finally, there is one area that is the most effective but is the most difficult to monitor or accomplish. Most parents want and become involved in their children’s education, but the most important factor in a child’s education is parental involvement. This is my opinion, but it also backed up by Harvard studies.

I am not opposed to longer school days and longer school years, I just think we both as taxpayers and parents are not getting our monies worth. We should demand more from our government at all levels and we should view our children’s future as the consumers of a defective product that is our public education system and we need radical change for our children’s education.

I have never had a personal trainer, but I know that if I was not getting results from someone, I would go somewhere else with my business. We should expect results.


Oklahoma City businessman Kyle Loveless is a Republican candidate for State Senate District 45. Campaign website

Labels: Decision '08, Kyle Loveless

Posted at 12:50 PM |   

Disclaimer: The following post is NOT a personal attack.

We have been accused by Foshee supporters (all three of them - which includes "pseudo" consultant Ron Black, Foshee himself, and his wife) of waging personal attacks when we examine their fledgling campaign and their amateurish campaign tactics.

Foshee, the self described "voice of the people" seems to be experiencing chronic laryngitis. Although Foshee and his declared opponent Kyle Loveless are neck and neck in the money race - with Loveless enjoying a small cash on hand advantage, recently filed campaign reports show Loveless raised his funds through a pool of fourteen donors. Foshee's total raised funds comes entirely from personal loans to himself.

You don't have to be a Dick Morris or Karl Rove to know that this is not good news for a campaign - no matter how well "The Gorilla" will attempt to spin it. The Oklahoma Political News Service will continue to investigate.

Labels: Decision '08, Jerry Foshee, Kyle Loveless

Posted at 2:53 PM |   

A benefit concert will be held July 1st at the Crossroads Church in Oklahoma City to help raise money for the USS Oklahoma Memorial fund.

Governor Henry, Congressman Cole, fmr. Congressman J.C. Watts, and many state elected officials are planning to attend. Oklahoma native Ms. Anita Bryant will be performing at 5 pm, followed by "South OKC's best fireworks show." There will also be a tiger show and inflatables for the kids, a professional BMX stunt group, and plenty to eat and drink.

Along with Sen. Jim Reynolds, another organizer of the event is District 45 Senate candidate Kyle Loveless. Loveless explains his involvement in the benefit:

"I was humbled that I was asked to participate in this effort. I have been supportive for years, ever since they first came to me in Congressman Istook’s office; and I was humbled that my church asked me to help."

For more information, you can visit the church's website at: http://www.crossroadsokc.com/.

Labels: Kyle Loveless, USS Oklahoma

Posted at 8:11 AM |   

WHEN -
Thursday, May 24th, 2007
6pm to 8 pm

WHERE -
Loveless Campaign HQ
4400 SW 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK

Questions? 405-692-7617

www.kyleloveless.com

Labels: Decision '08, Kyle Loveless

Posted at 11:54 AM |   

April 25th, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kyle D. Loveless

405-640-0740




3rd Generation of South-Side Oklahoma City Family Files for District 45 Seat

Oklahoma City, OK – Today, Kyle D. Loveless, a third-generation South Oklahoma City native, made it official and announced his candidacy for State Senate District #45.

The seat is currently held by Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson who is retiring due to term limits. The primary election will be held in the summer of 2008.

“Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson and Senator Helen Cole leave a fine and honorable tradition of leadership that I hope to continue if elected,” said Loveless.

“Oklahoma is heading into a new century, and we need a new brand of conservative leadership that is not afraid to take on the tough issues. Priorities must be made. Our state government needs to make hard decisions. I am the type of candidate who is not afraid to make the changes we need.”

“For too long, the Oklahoma State Senate has been in the back pocket of the trial lawyers, and the state has suffered because of it. We need entrepreneurs with the pioneering spirit that our state was founded upon, not relics of the past.”

To kick off the campaign, Loveless is inviting the public to a reception at his campaign headquarters:

WHEN: May 24th, 2007

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Loveless Campaign Headquarters

4400 SW 21st Street

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73108

(Just east of SW 21st Street and S. Meridian intersection)

Loveless -- Conservative Leadership for a New Century

Labels: Decision '08, Kyle Loveless

Posted at 9:04 AM |