Kevin Greene, Americans for Prosperity-Utah (AFP-UT): Advocating for Liberty, Taxpayers, and School Choice

 

In this PoliticIt Podcast episode, Kevin Greene, the State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Utah (AFP-UT), shared his journey into political advocacy and the pivotal work AFP is doing to advance liberty, promote limited government, and protect taxpayers. With nearly seven years at AFP and a background in law and grassroots leadership, Greene offers a passionate, thoughtful perspective on the issues shaping Utah’s political future—from school choice to union reform to tax policy.

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From Seattle to Utah: Kevin Greene’s Path to Political Advocacy

Though born in Seattle, Kevin Greene spent his formative years in Utah County, attending high school and then Utah Valley University (UVU), where he earned his undergraduate degree. He later graduated from the University of Utah’s law school in 2016. Despite his legal credentials, Greene humbly rejects the title of “lawyer,” focusing instead on his passion: political engagement and policy reform.

That passion was sparked during college when Greene served as president of the UVU College Republicans and volunteered on Senator Mike Lee’s first campaign. These early roles cemented his belief in constitutional principles and limited government—values that guide his leadership at AFP-Utah.

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Americans for Prosperity-Utah: A Grassroots Movement for Liberty

As one of 37 state chapters of the national Americans for Prosperity organization, AFP-Utah focuses on educating citizens, mobilizing grassroots activists, and influencing public policy. Its mission is rooted in the idea that free markets and free people—not government overreach—create lasting prosperity.

“We empower citizens through education, training, and face-to-face engagement with lawmakers,” Greene explains. “It’s about giving people the tools to make their voices heard.”

AFP’s approach includes everything from training volunteers to lobby effectively, to organizing public forums, to writing op-eds that shape the civic dialogue.

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Key Legislative Priorities: Union Reform, Taxpayer Protection, and School Choice

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1. HB267: Reforming Public Sector Union Bargaining

In 2025, AFP-Utah supported the passage of HB267, a bill banning collective bargaining for public-sector unions. Greene offers a sharp critique of how government union negotiations bypass taxpayer input:

“In the private sector, there’s a natural tension—labor negotiates with management, who must balance costs. But in government, it’s not union versus management. It’s union leaders negotiating with public officials, while taxpayers foot the bill—and they have no seat at the table.”

Kevin notes that public-sector unions have, at times, resisted reforms that would directly raise teacher salaries—choosing instead to preserve centralized power. HB267 restores negotiating authority to elected officials, enhancing transparency and accountability.

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Polling on HB267: Misinformation vs. Informed Support

Public perception of HB267 has been clouded by flawed polling and misleading rhetoric. A Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll showed 34% support and 38% opposition—a statistical tie. But Greene warns that the framing misled respondents:

Misleading Language: The poll referred vaguely to “employee unions,” failing to clarify that HB267 applies only to government unions—not private-sector labor groups.

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  Over-Simplification: By focusing narrowly on the collective bargaining ban, the poll ignored HB267’s broader reforms.

In contrast, an independent poll by the Center for Excellence in Polling presented a full explanation of the bill. That poll found:

• 59% of Utahns support HB267

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    Including 67% of Republicans

    
    
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    52% of Democrats

    
    
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    53% of Independents

    
    

“When voters hear the full story, they support reform,” Greene says. “But signature gatherers often used slogans like ‘protect Utah workers’—without disclosing the bill only affects government unions.”

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2. The REINS Act: Reining in Regulatory Overreach

AFP-Utah also helped pass Utah’s version of the REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny). This legislation requires that any rule or regulation costing more than $2 million over five years be reviewed and approved by the legislature—not just implemented by unelected executive agencies.

“Legislatures pass laws. Agencies are supposed to implement them—not create costly mandates without oversight,” Greene explains.

The REINS Act ensures major regulatory burdens are vetted by lawmakers who are directly accountable to voters.

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3. School Choice and the Fits All Scholarship

Another core AFP-Utah initiative is defending the Fits All Scholarship Program, a landmark school choice law that allows families to use education funding for private schools, homeschool materials, and customized learning tools.

“Education should fit the child—not the child into a one-size-fits-all system,” Greene says. “And this scholarship gives parents the power to decide what works.”

Over 9,500 students, mostly from low-income families, have already benefited. Yet the program remains under legal threat. Greene argues these court challenges harm the very families most in need of educational alternatives.

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4. Protecting Prosperity: Making the Trump Tax Cuts Permanent

On the national stage, AFP is leading a campaign called Protect Prosperity, urging Congress to make the 2017 tax cuts permanent. Without action, the average Utah family could face a tax increase of more than $1,500 a year.

“With inflation and rising costs, Utah families can’t afford a tax hike,” Greene warns.

AFP is leveraging its national network of activists, digital ads, and direct engagement with members of Congress—including Utah’s own delegation—to build momentum for tax relief.

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The Power of Grassroots: Education, Training, and Community Engagement

AFP-Utah combines full-time staff with a powerful volunteer network, headquartered at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Greene emphasizes that lasting policy change begins with people:

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  They host policy forums with state and national lawmakers

  
  
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  Offer training sessions on op-eds, lobbying, and civic engagement

  
  
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  Encourage one-on-one conversations between citizens and elected officials

  
  

“We want everyday Utahns to shape public policy—not just lobbyists or political insiders,” Greene says.

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Transparency in Ballot Initiatives

AFP-Utah also backed new legislation requiring voter initiatives to disclose their fiscal impact and funding sources. Critics argue this undermines direct democracy, but Greene disagrees:

“The legislature is the voice of the people. If voters disagree, they can elect new representatives. But every ballot initiative should be honest about its costs.”

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AFP’s State-Federal Strategy: Local Autonomy, National Alignment

AFP’s unique structure allows each state chapter to focus on its most pressing local issues while supporting national campaigns. Greene explains:

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  AFP-Utah drives Utah-specific reforms like HB267 and school choice

  
  
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  Simultaneously contributes to nationwide efforts like Protect Prosperity

  
  
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  Receives funding from donors across the U.S., but maintains independent strategy and resource management in-state

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Conclusion: Join the Liberty Movement in Utah

Kevin Greene’s leadership of AFP-Utah reflects a deep commitment to principled policy, citizen engagement, and the enduring value of freedom. Whether challenging public-sector union power, defending school choice, or protecting taxpayers, AFP is shaping the future of Utah politics—not by relying on power brokers, but by mobilizing people.

“We don’t just talk about freedom. We train, we show up, we organize,” Greene says. “And we’re building a movement that’s here to stay.”

📍To get involved, visit prosperityelevated.com and become part of the growing grassroots network defending liberty in Utah.

#politicit #utahelections #utpol🎙️ New episode of the #PoliticItPodcast with @kevingreeneut of @AFPUtah:

We talk #HB267, #SchoolChoice, #REINSAct, and why empowering citizens—not unions or bureaucrats—is key to #LibertyInUtah.

Grassroots beats gridlock.

#AFPWorks, #ProsperityElevated, #EducationFreedom, #TaxpayerProtection, #PublicAccountability, #CutTheRedTape, #UtahPolitics, #KevinGreeneAFP, #ParentsKnowBest,