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

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 HendersonDecember 17, 2018

If the ruling by a federal judge in Texas that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional holds up, Republicans will officially own whatever passes for health insurance in this country. If we have something called Trumpcare, Harrumphcare, Chumpcare, or, more likely, I-Don’t-Care (do you?), it’s all theirs. The way GOP members, including President Donald Trump, celebrated […]

Joe HendersonDecember 12, 2018

If the Tampa Bay Rays can’t make Ybor City work as the spot for a new stadium, there is an alternative that makes a lot of sense. Derby Lane could be the answer. The dog racing industry in Florida will be dead in about two years, thanks to Amendment 13, approved by 69 percent of […]

Joe HendersonDecember 11, 2018

What just happened with the Tampa Bay Rays stadium that was supposed to be built in Ybor City, except now there may not be enough money to make that happen? Well, take your pick of multiple options and there’s no way to say now whether you are definitively right or wrong. Does it open the […]

Joe HendersonDecember 11, 2018

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With a new administration about to take over in Tallahassee, it would be a good time to make major changes to the way Florida elections are conducted. That is, of course, unless lawmakers enjoy being mocked on national television like they were last month. It wouldn’t be that hard to do, either. A couple of […]

Joe Henderson

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

Joe Henderson: Um, Republicans? You own health care now — it’s all yours

Joe Henderson: Derby Lane might now be Rays best stadium bet

Joe Henderson: Tampa Bay Rays stadium plans unsettled again as Ybor looks dicey

Joe Henderson: Change needed to avoid future Florida elections messes