Judge Lewis Will Report Back to Supremes: Redistricting Failure

Judge Terry Lewis told a congressional redistricting hearing Tuesday that, given the House-Senate failure to come up with a new map, he will ask Florida Supreme Court justices what they want him to do next.

"The Senate says maybe we can get something done ... the House says I don't think we can," Lewis told attorneys and lobbyists gathered in his 2nd Judicial Circuit courtroom. He said that means his job is done for the moment and that he will have a failed-mission report in the Supreme Court's hands by Friday.

But Lewis said there is still time.

House Counsel George Meros said his chamber sees no hope of collaboration as things stand; Senate Counsel Raoul Cantero told Lewis, "We're willing to go into another special session and hammer out our differences."

David King, counsel for the League of Women Voters -- lead plaintiff in the case -- acknowledged the "Legislature is at loggerheads" and suggested the Supreme Court might want to apply its own solution.

"The Legislature has failed to comply. ..." said King. "They have not responded to a direct order from the court ... "and the court may elect to draw the map itself."

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli issued a statement to his members Monday saying in an effort to "protect the integrity and constitutional positon of this institution," the House would submit its own version of the congressional map to the Court for consideration.

"While it gives me great pause to ask the Court to decide this matter, I can assure you that the difference of opinion between the two Chambers is both significant and legitimate," Crisafulli said in his statement.