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

Joe HendersonJanuary 18, 2017

Betsy DeVos, whose children never attended public schools, may soon lead the nation’s Department of Education. Assuming she is confirmed, care to take a guess what Florida public education will look like four years from now? Perhaps former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who is DeVos’ biggest cheerleader, can provide some insight. He wrote a stirring […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 17, 2017

Over the weekend, Florida Democrats elected Miami rich guy Stephen Bittel to lead their party. The choice was controversial and left many members screaming that Bittel is the wrong man at the wrong time. They have their reasons, I guess. But, let me ask a simple question: Whom would be the right person? The political […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 12, 2017

Marco Rubio promised during his campaign for re-election to the U.S. Senate that he would stand up to Donald Trump when necessary. “Necessary” didn’t take long to arrive. It came Wednesday during a confirmation hearing for Rex Tillerson, Trump’s choice for Secretary of State. Rubio responded with what I thought was his finest hour as […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 10, 2017

Meryl Streep must have known what she was in for when she spoke out against Donald Trump at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night. Conservatives were outraged that, during her acceptance speech for a lifetime of excellence in Hollywood, she referenced Trump’s mocking of a disabled reporter during the campaign. Trump, indeed, emphasized the […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 9, 2017

We all remember when presidential candidate Donald Trump stuck Republican opponent Marco Rubio with the label of “Little Marco.” It’s hard to say if that insult led directly to Trump’s sizable thumping of Rubio in the Florida primary, but it’s worth mentioning because “Little” Marco holds perhaps the biggest card in Trump’s push to confirm […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 6, 2017

I have a friend who has owned a small restaurant in Tampa for decades. He voted for Donald Trump for two important reasons: Trump isn’t Hillary Clinton, and he hates Obamacare. Let me rephrase that: He doesn’t like Hillary, but he loathes Obamacare with unyielding venom. Keeping up with its requirements, he said, has been […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 5, 2017

Mitch Perry’s story Tuesday on FloridaPolitics.com about the bill filed by state Sen. Tom Lee to dismantle state’s Sports Development Program triggered an instant thought: Well, forget about a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. I followed up with a call to Lee, a Republican from Brandon, and asked if my thought about the […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 2, 2017

St. Petersburg is a lovely, vibrant city that is getting better by the day. I love its waterfront and its eclectic, revitalized downtown. So I hope my friends there don’t this personally when I ask: Have your city leaders lost their minds? I refer to the “Baseball Forever’ push to a build a stadium that […]

Joe HendersonDecember 30, 2016

I recently was invited to a screening of “The Bowden Dynasty: A Story of Faith, Family & Football.” That’s the upcoming movie about the life and career of legendary Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden. The film will debut Jan. 8 at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg as part of a celebration for the […]

Joe HendersonDecember 28, 2016

Politicians have long been outraged – OUTRAGED, I tell you – about so-called “activist judges” who make them follow that pesky thing known as the law. I guess it’s logical, therefore, for frustrated lawmakers to try and beat judges at their own game. FloridaPolitics.com reported that State Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Republican from Venice, filed […]

Joe Henderson
Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of providing emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos could mean more Florida charter schools, a lot more

Stephen Bittel for Florida Democrats, what do you have to lose?

Marco Rubio quickly keeps promise to stand up to Donald Trump in Senate

Conservatives bashing ‘Hollywood’ depends on which actors do the talking

‘Little’ Marco Rubio holds big cards in Rex Tillerson confirmation

If Republicans have a better idea to replace Obamacare, let’s hear it

Pro sports franchises: Build your own stadium, ballpark, or arena

Building a new ballpark in St. Petersburg: Throwing good money after bad

Memories of Bobby Bowden: Much more than winning football games

Joe Henderson: Separation of powers there to keep legislators from running amok