This week, Americans for Prosperity-Florida (AFP-FL), the state chapter of the national conservative organization that calls for restraining the scope of government in the economy, released its 2011 report card for members of the Florida Legislature.
The legislative scorecard allows our 86,000 members to see how their elected officials voted on issues affecting individual liberty and economic prosperity, said Slade OBrien, the director of the AFP-FL, on Wednesday. The 2011 legislative session was one of the most business-friendly in years, with successful reform measures addressing unsustainable pensions and Medicaid, health care freedom, and burdensome regulations stifling job growth. These are the issues that will move our state forward and guarantee continued economic growth for Floridians.
AFP-FL gave a majority of the Florida House members -- 73 of the 120 members who sit in the chamber -- a grade of A+ while six of the 40 state senators received that mark. The group took 15 legislative votes into consideration as it assembled their report cards. Among the issues included were a proposed state constitutional amendment against forcing citizens to purchase health care; performance pay reform for teachers; cutting taxes for water management districts; requiring state employees to contribute to their own pensions; and supporting school choice options including expanding charter schools and the Florida Virtual School program.
Americans for Prosperity-Florida applauds all 79 legislators -- six senators and 73 representatives -- that received 'A+' scores for advocating for less government, less taxes, and decreasing burdensome regulations on businesses, said OBrien. These are critical policies our lawmakers must support in order to ensure Florida can compete on the national and international level. The elected officials that received scores of 'D' and 'F' show hostility toward the free market and protecting the individual liberties on which our country was founded.
All of the 73 House members who garnered "A+" grades were Republicans. Seven other Republicans in the House -- Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera of Miami, Frank Artilles of Miami, Erik Fresen of Miami, Eddy Gonzalez of Hialeah Gardens, Paige Kreegel of Punta Gorda, Anna Rivas Logan of Miami and Jeanette Nunez of Miami -- received A scores from AFP-FL. The group did not grade former Rep. Esteban Bovo who resigned during the session to successfully run for the Miami-Dade County Commission, or the man who replaced him -- Rep. Jose Olivia, R-Hialeah.
All of the Democrats in the House received F grades from AFP-FL with the exception of Rep. Leonard Bembry of Madison.
While every Democrat in the Senate received F grades from AFP-FL -- with the exception of Sen. Larcenia Bullard of Miami, who missed much of the session due to poor health and therefore was not graded -- Republicans in the upper chamber earned mixed marks.
Six Republicans in the Senate -- President Mike Haridopolos of Merritt Island, incoming President Don Gaetz of Niceville, Majority Leader Andy Gardiner of Orlando, J.D. Alexander of Lake Wales, Joe Negron of Palm City and John Thrasher of Jacksonville -- received A+ grades from AFP-FL.
Twelve Republicans in the Senate -- President Pro Tempore Mike Bennett of Bradenton, Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla of Miami, Greg Evers of Crestview, Anitere Flores of Miami, Rene Garcia of Hialeah, Alan Hays of Umatilla, Jack Latvala of St. Petersburg, Jim Norman of Tampa, Garrett Richter of Naples, David Simmons of Altamonte Springs and Stephen Wise of Jacksonville -- received A grades.
Eight Republicans in the Senate received B marks. They were Thad Altman of Melbourne, Lizbeth Benaquisto of Wellington, Charlie Dean of Iverness, Nancy Detert of Venice, Dennis Jones of Seminole, Evelyn Lynn of Daytona Beach, Steve Oelrich of Gainesville and Ronda Storms of Brandon. Two Senate Republicans -- Paula Dockery of Lakeland and Mike Fasano of New Port Richey -- garnered C grades from AFP-FL.
AFP-FL also named their Legislators of the Year on Wednesday. Negron, who represents all of Martin County and parts of Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, received the Senate version of the award. Besides garnering an A+" grade from AFP-FL, Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, who represents parts of Orange and Seminole counties, won the award in the House.
Senator Negron and Representative Plakon showed true support for individual liberty and smaller government, said OBrien. Senator Negron was the lead on the ground-breaking Medicaid reform measures that passed this year, while continuing to be a champion for lower taxes and less government. Representative Plakon has repeatedly proven to be a principled leader set on protecting liberty with his sponsorship of vital legislation, including the Health Care Freedom (Act)amendment.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
