Supreme Court asks judge to sort out dispute over new maps

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – The Florida Supreme Court is ordering a trial judge to recommend which new map should be put in place for the state’s 27 congressional districts.

The court in July ordered the Florida Legislature to adopt a new map. But the House and Senate deadlocked over the issue during a 12-day special session that ended in August.

Justices on Friday ordered Circuit Judge Terry Lewis to hold a hearing to try to resolve the dispute. Lawyers for the House and Senate will be allowed to present rival maps to the judge. Lewis will then make a recommendation back to the Supreme Court on which map should be adopted.

The Supreme Court gave lawmakers 100 days to draw a map after finding the current districts violated voter-approved standards. But the House and Senate sharply differed on changes proposed for central Florida and the Tampa Bay regions.