Joe Henderson, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonDecember 7, 2016

Another year has almost passed and, so far as we know, nothing much has happened to lead anyone to believe the Tampa Bay Rays are anywhere close to securing a new stadium. But there were two developments this week that seemed to be forces pulling in the opposite direction. That’s never good. On Monday, as […]

Joe HendersonDecember 5, 2016

On Sunday afternoon, a man carrying an AR-15 assault rifle walked into a popular pizza place in northwest Washington D.C. and began shooting. No one was hurt, thank goodness and the gunman was arrested. What he said after being taken away, though, should be a warning to us all. He said he came to “self-investigate” […]

Joe HendersonDecember 2, 2016

Eric Newman read news reports of the fight by incoming president Donald Trump to keep the Carrier air conditioning company from moving jobs to Mexico and thought, hey, why not us? Newman owns the J.C. Newman Cigar Company in Tampa and has been fighting the Food and Drug Administration over regulations that Newman says could […]

Joe HendersonNovember 30, 2016

We probably will never know what happened inside Trump Tower recently when Florida Gov. Rick Scott met with the president-elect. It wouldn’t surprise me, though, if they talked about jobs the entire time. I mention this because Donald Trump gave a preview this week of what he hopes are coming attractions. He announced that Carrier, […]

Joe HendersonNovember 28, 2016

Jeb! Bush generally is considered the father of school choice, especially in Florida. As Governor in 1999, Bush pushed through the first statewide school voucher program in the nation. He was the champion of grading individual schools on how well students do on standardized testing. He pushed for what became known as “accountability” for public school […]

Joe HendersonNovember 26, 2016

Fidel Castro is dead! That was the totality of a simple tweet Saturday morning from president-elect Donald Trump as the world awoke to the news that millions have waited for so long to hear. The exclamation mark was telling about how Americans feel on either side of the issue of restoring normal relations with Cuba. […]

Joe HendersonNovember 25, 2016

Pat Kemp officially joined the Hillsborough County Commission when she was sworn into office Wednesday. If she stays true to her nature – and there is no to believe she won’t – Kemp might just turn the Commission on its ear. I hope she does. Most politicians like to play it safe and tell voters […]

Joe HendersonNovember 22, 2016

Remember that measure some Republicans in the Legislature have tried to pass the last couple of years to allow guns on college campuses? You know, the bill the House passed last year before it died in the Senate (thank goodness). Well, it’s back. Of course, it’s back. It never really left, and it won’t leave […]

Joe HendersonNovember 18, 2016

All politicians start out by saying how they want to make a difference. Well, Kevin Beckner did. His now-former colleagues at the Hillsborough County Commission acknowledged that Wednesday during his final meeting as a member of the board. He is leaving because of term limits after serving eight years. Yes, Beckner was the first openly […]

Joe HendersonNovember 17, 2016

The rebirth of downtown Tampa brought inevitable speculation that Mayor Bob Buckhorn might parlay it into a shot at the governor’s mansion in 2018. The job obviously has appeal for someone like Buckhorn, who likes a big stage and challenge. Asking him to tip his hand about a possible run, though, has proved to be […]

Joe Henderson
TCEC line workers restoring power after Helene. Image via Facebook (TCEC).

Baseball commissioner: Rays stadium is about location, location, location

Joe Henderson: Not just papers; it’s #LoveMyWebsite day, too

Joe Henderson: Donald Trump ‘saves’ Indiana jobs; Eric Newman asks ‘why not us?’

Joe Henderson: What Democrats missed about Donald Trump, Rick Scott — it’s about jobs

Joe Henderson: Jeb Bush, school choice advocates could not be more pleased with Trump’s pick for education secretary

Joe Henderson: Donald Trump has political cover to bring Cuba under U.S. umbrella

Joe Henderson: Look for Pat Kemp to turn Hillsborough Commission on its ear

Joe Henderson: Despite opposition, ‘campus carry’ returns

Joe Henderson: Kevin Beckner made a difference, which should never be forgotten

Joe Henderson: Facing many hurdles, Bob Buckhorn could make a good governor