Center for Freedom and Prosperity is an advocacy organization that campaigns for limited government. ¹ Its staff and leadership is comprised of free-market economists who publish political commentary favoring free-market Austrian School economics. ²

Background

Center for Freedom and Prosperity was founded in 2001 as the advocacy arm of Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation. It advocates for limited government, free-market policies, and a flat tax rate. ¹

Center for Freedom and Prosperity promotes Austrian School economics through educational campaigns. ³ It also publishes op-eds, blog posts, and press releases that comment on proposed and existing policies. ^{4 5}

Publications

Political Commentary

In March 2023, Center for Freedom and Prosperity published an op-ed advocating for the Department of Justice to not block the merger of JetBlue and Spirit Airlines. It argues antitrust laws such as the Sherman Act only serve to prevent smaller companies from merging to become competitive with larger companies, resulting in less competitive markets and inefficient economies. ⁶

In an op-ed titled, “The War on Affordable Energy Continues,” Center for Freedom and Prosperity criticized the Biden administration for placing restrictions on conventional energy companies, citing research that argues there is no environmental benefit in doing so. The op-ed also cites surging energy costs and inflation, identifying the Biden administration’s restrictions as a driving factor. ⁷

Video Series

Center for Freedom and Prosperity publishes video lessons teaching principles of Austrian School economics. The videos discuss topics such as how small government, defined as limited public spending, can address problems rather than government programs that require large budgets and increase spending, government deficits, and public debts. ^{3 8}

Center for Freedom and Prosperity has a video series titled “Obamanomics” where it breaks down the Obama administration’s tax and monetary policy. It describes the administration has having a “dismal record,” and states its policies overtaxed Americans, resulting in higher tax rates than advertised for lower-income earners, and insufficiently funding big government programs such as welfare spending. ^{9 10}

Leadership

Daniel J. Mitchell is a co-founder of the Center for Freedom and Prosperity and its sister organization Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation. He describes himself as the leading opponent of the tax harmonization schemes developed by the European Union and the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In 1996, Mitchell published a book titled, The Flat Tax: Freedom, Fairness, Jobs, and Growth, which advocates for a flat-rate tax system. He previously worked as a senior fellow for the Cato Institute and Heritage Foundation and as an economist for former U.S. Senator Bob Packwood (R-OR) and the Senate Finance Committee. ²

Veronique de Rugy is a co-founder of Center for Freedom and Prosperity and Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation. She is also a senior research fellow for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. De Rugy previously worked as a resident fellow for American Enterprise Institute (AEI), policy analyst for the Cato Institute, and as a research fellow at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation. ¹¹

Financials

According to its tax returns, Center for Freedom and Prosperity reported $416,053 in revenue in 2019 as well as $402,987 in total expenses, $155,403 of which was spent on employee salaries and compensation. ¹²

1. “About CF&P and CF&P Foundation.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity, January 13, 2023. https://freedomandprosperity.org/about/.
2. “Staff.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity –, December 9, 2022. https://freedomandprosperity.org/about/staff/.
3. “Videos.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity. Accessed May 22, 2023. https://freedomandprosperity.org/videos/.
4. ^[1] “Press Releases.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity. Accessed May 22, 2023. https://freedomandprosperity.org/news/press-releases/.
5. “CF&P Foundation Prosperitas Studies.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity. Accessed May 22, 2023. https://freedomandprosperity.org/publications/cfp-foundation-prosperitas-studies/.
6. Mitchell, Dan. “Government Should Stand aside on Jetblue-Spirit Airlines Merger.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity –, March 29, 2023. https://freedomandprosperity.org/2023/opinion-and-commentary/government-should-stand-aside-on-jetblue-spirit-airlines-merger/.
7. Garst, Brian. “The War on Affordable Energy Continues.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity –, March 29, 2023. https://freedomandprosperity.org/2023/opinion-and-commentary/the-war-on-affordable-energy-continues/.
8. “Spending Caps: A Proven Strategy for Fiscal Responsibility.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity, July 10, 2017. https://freedomandprosperity.org/2017/videos/spending-caps-a-proven-strategy-for-fiscal-responsibility/.
9. “Obamanomics: The Dismal Record.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity –, October 9, 2012. https://freedomandprosperity.org/2012/videos/obamanomics-the-dismal-record/.
10. “Obamanomics: Class Warfare vs pro-Growth Tax Policy.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity, November 5, 2012. https://freedomandprosperity.org/2012/videos/obamanomics-class-warfare-vs-pro-growth-tax-policy/.
11. “Board of Directors.” Center for Freedom and Prosperity –, January 13, 2023. https://freedomandprosperity.org/about/board-of-directors/.
12. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Center for Freedom and Prosperity. 2019. Part I, Lines 8-18.