Florida's New Congressional Map: GOP Gains & Legal Challenges

0:00Ford, a lawmaker, is just pushed through Governor Ron DeSantis' new congressional redistricting map. The Senate approved it 21-17, with four Republicans voting no. The House clued it earlier Wednesday, 83-28. Now it heads straight to DeSantis for his signature. This special session kicked off Tuesday in Tallahassee after DeSantis called it back in January. It sets a run through Friday, May 1st, but could wrap up early if everything finalizes quick. The move has spokes fired up because it's rare to redraw maps mid-decade like this. Florida's law straight up bans Gary Mandarin for political wins, but DeSantis' plan could hand Republicans up to four extra seats in the U.S. House. This November, DeSantis says the current maps have flaws and don't match Florida's huge population, boom, even without a new census. Democrats like Rep Fin Trees Driscoe from Tampa are pushing back hard, while some Republicans, including Rep Jenna Persons, Mulika from Four Myers, see the governor's legal memo as solid.

1:01With the governor's pen next in line, Florida joins states like Texas and California in reshaping their districts, setting the stage for a bigger GOP, Edge come election time. That wraps Tampa Bay news today, brought to you with AI, I'm Cory with the story.