Florida's New Congressional Map: Partisan Gerrymandering or Fair Redistricting?

0:00It's April 29, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Tampa Bay News today, local news powered by AI. Florida lawmakers just passed the fresh congressional map that could hand Republicans a couple more guaranteed seats in Congress. The House and Senate both approved it on Wednesday, setting up a big shift in the state's delegation to Washington. Governor Ron DeSantis pushed for this redraw, calling a special session over issues with the 2020 Census Count and waiting on a Supreme Court. Decision of our race in district lines? Folks at Common Cause Florida showed up in Tallahassee to fight it, calling the map straight up partisan gerrymandering, which voters banned back in, 2010, with a state amendment. Their director says they're not backing down and all options, including lawsuits, are on the table. Meanwhile, that same Wednesday morning, the Supreme Court dropped a ruling curbing race as the top factor in redistricting, echoing past decisions. Against it dominating the process, even with voting rights act exceptions for minority districts.

1:02Now the maps waiting on DeSantis' signature, and with opponents gearing up for battle, Florida's political lines are about to get even more heated, heading into the next election cycle.