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

Joe HendersonApril 12, 2017

The steady increase in Gov. Rick Scott’s approval rating has reinforced the notion that if voters have a job and the economy seems to be humming along, other things don’t matter much. The latest poll, released this week by Morning Consult, put Scott’s approval number at 57 percent. Considering that he stood at 26 percent […]

Joe HendersonApril 11, 2017

Florida Democrats have become such a non-factor in state politics that the real drama frequently becomes which faction of the Republican party will prevail on a given issue. Think about it. We have had knockdown, drag-outs between the GOP-controlled House and Senate. This year the main event has been the ongoing feud between Republican Gov. […]

Joe HendersonApril 10, 2017

A story in Sunday’s Washington Post focused on a new strategy that is being put in play by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the fight against drug abuse. It sounds like a return to the old strategy that was discarded because it was costly and largely ineffective, but the current administration likes to play hardball […]

Joe HendersonApril 6, 2017

Numerous studies have shown Florida’s gun-totin’ “stand your ground” law doesn’t work. The Journal of American Medical Association recently reported, “The removal of restrictions on when and where individuals can use lethal force was associated with a significant increase in homicide and homicide by firearm in Florida.” By significant, it meant a 24.4 percent increase […]

Joe HendersonApril 5, 2017

You can legitimately argue that the executive order by Gov. Rick Scott removing Orlando State Attorney Aramis Ayala from 21 more potential death penalty cases was blatant over-reach. For the record, I wouldn’t automatically agree but I can see that side of the argument. We all know what a firestorm Ayala created when she decided […]

Joe HendersonApril 3, 2017

If you don’t know Mike Moore yet, chances are you will soon enough. For now, he is content to be chairman of the Pasco County Commission, but former House Speaker Will Weatherford believes his friend and neighbor is destined for bigger things. “When you’ve been around politics and people as long as I have, you […]

Joe HendersonMarch 30, 2017

While the business of governing requires tough choices and choosing between priorities that can be conflicting, sometimes it’s best to do what the people want. After all, it’s their money that is being spent. So, listen up, Tallahassee. On the subject of state Medicaid funding, the people — your bosses — appear to have spoken […]

Joe HendersonMarch 29, 2017

The words “green space” can have a different meaning depending on the person involved. Democrats generally believe green space to mean protected grasslands, pristine parks, waterways, and regulations to keep companies from belching pollutants into the atmosphere. Republicans generally appear to believe green space is a metaphor for money that can be made by paving […]

Joe HendersonMarch 28, 2017

On the old TV show Dallas, family patriarch Jock Ewing once memorably screamed at his son Bobby: “So I gave you power, huh? Well, let me tell you something, boy. If I did give you power, you got nothing! Nobody gives you power. Real power is something you take!” The 2017 version of that story […]

Joe HendersonMarch 27, 2017

Short of hitting yourself in the head with a hammer, the surest way to get a headache is to wade deep into Tampa Bay area transportation problems. You encounter a mishmash of competing agencies and agendas that has resulted in legislative and automotive gridlock for frustrated commuters for years. Given that, I’m encouraged by what […]

Joe Henderson

Joe Henderson: Rick Scott’s approval rating climbs because the economy trumps everything

Joe Henderson: Democrats may finally get the message that they need, well, a message

Joe Henderson: Newest strategy in war on drugs could look a lot like the old strategy

Joe Henderson: Lawmakers seizing chance to expand gun use under cover of “Stand Your Ground”

Joe Henderson: Sen. Bracy’s heart might have been right, but his numbers were wrong

Joe Henderson: Keep an eye on Mike Moore, a man on the move in Pasco

Joe Henderson: Psst … Tallahassee, you might want to actually listen to the people on this one

Joe Henderson: Concern for the environment really depends on which party is in charge

Joe Henderson: Richard Corcoran’s moves show that real power is taken, every bit of it

Joe Henderson: Proposed new transportation agency a good start toward solving an old problem