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

Joe HendersonJanuary 9, 2019

It is heartening to hear Gov. Ron DeSantis often speak about his commitment to Florida’s environment. Those were some sweet-sounding words he spoke in his inauguration speech: “Our economic potential will be jeopardized if we do not solve the problems afflicting our environment and water resources.” True dat. But words without action is meaningless, and […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 8, 2019

During a recent chat about the prospects for incoming Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Tampa Republican activist Terry Castro made a point I hadn’t considered. “One of the best tools he has going in his arsenal is Casey,” Castro said. “She is magnificent.” That would be Casey DeSantis, who Tuesday will assume the title of Florida’s […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 7, 2019

A new administration is about to take over Florida lawmaking, and congrats to the people involved. They have a big responsibility. While there will be new faces, though, the early signs point to a whole bunch of stuff we’ve heard many times before. So far, we hear a lot about guns, education, guns and education, […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 3, 2019

We are now officially on the clock for the 2019 Tampa Mayor election, where eight candidates have joined the fray to succeed Bob Buckhorn, who is leaving the job only because the law gives him no other option. Term limits can be so, um, limiting, you know? Anyway, the candidates have been running hither and […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 1, 2019

Welcome to Florida 2019, a time of hope and optimism that maybe, finally, we’ll get it right. That feeling usually lasts about 24 hours before we realize that while the calendar may have changed, most everything else won’t. People keep moving here. Traffic gets worse. And the National Rifle Association usually gets whatever Marion Hammer wants. […]

Joe HendersonDecember 31, 2018

One of the surest signs of the change about to come to Washington is the appointment of U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor to lead the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. To say the least, it was a good move. While the nonstop news cycle has been focused on the government shutdown and border security, Castor’s ascension […]

Joe HendersonDecember 25, 2018

This is a site devoted to getting deep into the weeds of Florida politics, so we try to avoid going national too often — unless it has direct statewide impact. With that in mind, I know the best Christmas present Florida lawmakers could give to all 21 million residents of the best state in the […]

Joe HendersonDecember 20, 2018

The prevailing sentiment is that the door is slammed shut on a baseball stadium in Ybor City for the Tampa Bay Rays. You heard it on TV, radio and just about everywhere else throughout the region. After all, the Rays seemed to emphatically make that point when the team informed St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman […]

Joe HendersonDecember 19, 2018

The last eight years will go down as some of the worst for Florida’s environment. Between algae blooms, beach erosion, hurricanes and the continuing specter of climate change, the state’s delicate eco-balance has been under siege. Under Gov. Rick Scott, even the official mention of climate change was forbidden. Regulations to protect the environment were […]

Joe HendersonDecember 18, 2018

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Laurel Lee was formally asked Monday to recuse herself from hearing a lawsuit against the All For Transportation sales tax. A first-year law student would probably agree it’s the best way for Her Honor to avoid potentially messy legal optics. Why? Well, consider … Point 1: Lee’s husband, Republican state Sen. Tom Lee, […]

Joe Henderson
Image via AP.

Joe Henderson: Ron DeSantis will have to prove he’s serious about environment

Joe Henderson: Casey DeSantis’ strong impact coming into focus

Joe Henderson: A new Florida administration, same old issues

Joe Henderson: Tampa mayoral election moves to center stage

Joe Henderson: How much will Florida change in 2019? Probably not much

Joe Henderson: Kathy Castor appointment good sign in climate conversation

Joe Henderson: Make Florida politics the opposite of Washington

Joe Henderson: In Rays baseball stadium saga, slammed doors can still be opened

Joe Henderson: It’s time to learn if Ron DeSantis cares about Florida’s environment

Joe Henderson: Stepping aside should be easy call for Judge Laurel Lee