Special Session To Draw New Maps Begins
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Lawmakers are back in Tallahassee Thursday for a special session to draw a new map for the state's congressional districts.
The session started at noon and could run for nine days although there are signs that the Republican-controlled Legislature could wrap it up sooner.
The session is being sparked by a judge's July ruling that found two districts were drawn illegally to benefit Republicans. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis last week gave legislators until Aug. 15 to draw up a new map for the 27 districts.
That map will focus primarily on the two districts flagged by the judge: A sprawling district that runs from Jacksonville to Orlando held by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and a central Florida district held by U.S. Rep. Dan Webster.
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