House, Senate seek to bridge differences on Senate districts

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – The Florida House and Senate are trying to work out differences on political boundaries for state Senate districts.

The Senate decided Wednesday to go to conference with the House after the two chambers approved different maps for the 40 Senate districts.

The GOP-controlled Legislature has until Friday to agree on a new Senate maps. This is the third special session of the year.

Legislators were forced to draw new Senate districts because the Senate admitted earlier this year that senators had violated the state constitution while drawing up the current districts.

Voters in 2010 passed an amendment that says districts cannot be drawn to help incumbents or a member of a political party.

Earlier this year, the House and Senate failed to come to an agreement on new congressional maps.