TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ The Florida House is releasing redistricting maps for itself and the state's congressional delegation. The Senate Reapportionment Committee, meanwhile, on Tuesday is taking a vote on introducing its redistricting plans for the Senate and Congress.
Florida is adding two more congressional districts in 2012 due to population growth. One of those new seats in the Senate's plan would be 40 percent Hispanic in central Florida. That's less, though, than the 46 percent district proposed by Hispanic groups.
Most Hispanics in central Florida are Puerto Rican, which should favor Democrats. The other new seat, also in central Florida, appears to be solidly Republican, though.
Democrats have criticized the Senate maps, saying they favor Republicans. The GOP currently controls both of Florida's legislative chambers and has 19-6 edge in U.S. House seats.
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