Americans for Prosperity Making Inroads Throughout Florida Politics

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is an organization looking to “Reignite the American Dream” as it just celebrated its 20^th year since its formation. The political advocacy group dons itself as the “premier grassroots advocacy organization” attempting to shape public policy. It has four million advocates in all 50 states with 36 chapters – including Florida and Arizona. It reported 102 legislative victories in 2023.

For instance, after the State of Florida passed SB 1600 – Interstate Mobility – which made the Sunshine State the 21^st in the Union to recognize occupational licenses from other states. Arizona was the first state to recognize Universal License Recognition (ULR) in 2019.

AFP Florida’s state director Skylar Zander congratulated those involved for passing the legislation in late June.

“Thank you Governor Ron DeSantis for signing SB 1600! Universal Licensure in Florida is now the law of the land. Thank you Jay Collins, Danny Alverez, and Susan Placencia for your work on the bill. More freedom and opportunity in Florida,” said Director Zander.

AFP holds conservative values in its policy guidelines. For example, relating to economic progress, the organization calls for an end to wasteful spending, corporate handouts, labor reform, and the repeal of regulations that “keep businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities from moving forward.”

Moreover, AFP takes a consumer-first stance on healthcare, stating it looks to “fund patients,” not insurance companies” with a universal healthcare credit and a focus on primary care. Similarly, the organization wants direct funding for students, school choice, and dynamic course selection instead of an all-or-nothing approach.

Finally, the group outlines its case for funding law enforcement, proper rehabilitation for those interacting with the justice system, protecting free speech and the First Amendment, reforming the asylum system, and replacing DACA with legislation that provides “certainty, transparency, and accountability for those who grew up in the U.S. illegally through no fault of their own.”

According to AFP’s scorecard, all Republican legislators in the U.S. House and Senate from Florida hold a score 80 or better. As for the Democrats, the highest-rated lawmaker comes in at a score of 27 (Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick [D-FL]).