After a two week special session for the purpose of drawing up new Congressional districts per a Florida Supreme Court order that collapsed amidst blame placing and tempers, the Senate Redistricting Committee Chair Senate Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), presented another compromise map for consideration. At issue originally was the handling of Hillsborough County and Orange County. In this compromise map, Hillsborough county is split 3 ways (originally, the Senate split the County in two), and the plan keeps the 10th Congressional District entirely in Orange County in line with the House map (originally, the Senate split this seat into Lake County as well). In a memo to fellow Senators, Galvano stated the legislative process “is about compromise”.
Florida House Rep. Jose Oliva (R-Miami), was not pleased with this plan, stating it should have been presented during the special session. “In order to fully and publicly vet the proposal filed by Chairman Galvano, we would need additional time.” He was also uncertain if the full Senate was on board with this plan.
The entire redistricting process may end up back in the courts, with several groups, including the League of Women voter of Florida and Common Cause, actually asking the justices to “adopt a remedial plan”. Trial Judge Terry Lewis has asked the Florida Supreme Court for a ruling and hopefully one will be forthcoming.