And rightfully so. In a 5-2 decision, the court found the Legislature’s redistricting process in 2012, and the resulting congressional boundaries, were “tainted by unconstitutional intent to favor the Republican Party and incumbents.”

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Lawmakers must heed Fair District obligations."

Map Talk

"In wake of historic redistricting decision, here are maps! maps! maps! detailing the possible changes."

Hyper-partisan Argumentum ad hominem from the Court

The usually partisan Tampa Tribune editorial board acknowledges the "hyper-partisan" conduct of the Florida Ledislature in the "sordid" redistricting process. Equally sordid was the tone of the Republican dissent in the redistricting decision:

A reader of Justice Canady’s dissent in isolation could be forgiven for believing that this Court’s decision here amounts to a creative maneuver designed to overstep its proper bounds, done in order to usurp the Legislature’s role in the redistricting process. The dissent’s attacks on this Court’s analysis are extravagant, even when measured against prior dissenting opinions in our recent redistricting cases that have accused this Court of devising “a radical alteration in the operation of the separation of powers.” Apportionment IV, 132 So. 3d at 160 (Canady, J., dissenting). The barrage of epithets employed by the dissent includes the following colorful array: “fallacious”; “fabricated”; “extreme distortion”; “revolutionary deformation”; “teeming with judicial overreaching”; “creatively cobbled”; “aggressive invasion”; “aberrant decision”; and “unprecedented incursions.”20 Dissenting op. at 110, 111, 112, 117, 127.

20. Perhaps we should take solace in not being accused of “jiggery-pokery.” See King v. Burwell, No. 14-114, 2015 WL 2473448, at *19 (U.S. June 25, 2015) (Scalia, J., dissenting).

"A batting-practice fast ball right in Charlie's wheelhouse"

Nancy Smith: "Democrats think the Florida Supreme Court finally handed Charlie Crist a race he can win."

Certainly the court's decision Thursday pitches the District 13 seat straight down the middle for Charlie. It's an 83-mile-per-hour batting-practice fast ball right in Charlie's wheelhouse, unless the Legislature can come up with a palatable answer.

But for now it looks like the always-candidate-wannabe might find the third time lucky, running against incumbent Republian Congressman David Jolly in a redrawn district that probably will provide enough Democrats to choke a horse.

The court's majority opinion was that Congressman David Jolly's District 13 and Congresswoman Kathy Castor's District 14 must be redrawn to avoid crossing Tampa Bay. It looks right now as if District 13 is going to get the whole of blue St. Petersburg. And St. Pete is Charlie's hometown. He lives there, he's comfortable there, he's a household word there.

(The court ordered eight of the state’s 27 congressional districts redrawn, saying the configuration of each violated the 2010 Fair Districts constitutional amendment to stop gerrymandering.)

John Morgan thinks prospects look good for his longtime friend. Florida's best known personal injury attorney and Crist's employer and political benefactor told Politico on Thursday, "The seat would be tailor-made for Charlie. I haven’t spoken to Charlie about this ruling, but I would say it’s far more likely than not he would run for the seat if the seat came to him. The math is there.”

True, right now 13 looks like a lucky number for a Democrat, unlucky for incumbent Republican David Jolly.

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Court and Grayson Spice up Summer Week."

Florida leads the nation in the number of exiles

"Florida is no stranger to out-of-towners as anyone can see when the state’s population swells each winter. But the state also leads the nation in the number of people moving here after fleeing war-torn or politically unstable countries around the world." "Florida, Tampa Bay area a magnet for refugees."

The next 100 days

"With options limited, legislators remain silent about redistricting plans."

"A Billion-Dollar Force"

"Jeb Bush, laying claim to some of the nation's wealthiest donors, has to be scaring the pants off other candidates, red and blue, in the 2016 presidential race." "Jeb Bush 'on Track to Be a Billion-Dollar Force' in Election 2016."

Why the next Gubernatorial election is critical to FlaDems

"Three of the justices of Thursday's majority ordering the redrawing of the legislative maps (Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince) have a history of controversial rulings in elections cases."

All three justices were appointed by former Democratic Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles and each faces mandatory retirement in 2019.

Will FlaGOP appeal redistricting smackdown?

"Will GOP-led Legislature appeal gerrymandering case?" Related: Democrat "Rep. Brown is Likely to Sue Over FL Redistricting."

Much will depend on the Republican-controlled Florida House and Senate, which are responsible for creating the new boundaries. The court wants eight of the state’s 27 congressional districts redrawn in 100 days, though more districts will almost certainly be affected.

"Defying Democratic Party leaders, Orlando's U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson on Thursday vowed to run a U.S. Senate campaign based on his liberal ideas and brash rhetoric that will be managed, funded and supported by people who embrace them." "Florida Supreme Court Orders Redrawing of Congressional Districts." More "Florida Supreme Court strikes down congressional district map."

What gives Democrats hope is that the eight targeted districts are in the state’s most populated — read: most liberal — areas: Three are based in Miami-Dade County and two in Broward and Palm Beach; two lie in the Tampa Bay area, and one stretches from Jacksonville to Orlando.

Background: "The Florida Supreme Court took a wrecking ball to Florida's political landscape Thursday,"

throwing out the state's carefully crafted congressional districts drawn by the GOP-led Legislature and ordering a new map within 100 days.

Grayson to run for U.S. Senate

"Defying Democratic Party leaders, Orlando's U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson on Thursday vowed to run a U.S. Senate campaign based on his liberal ideas and brash rhetoric that will be managed, funded and supported by people who embrace them." "Grayson vows unabashed liberal Senate campaign."

"State Sen. Darren Soto will run for the U.S. Congress intending to replace Alan Grayson in District 9 now that Congressman Grayson has announced he is running for the U.S. Senate. . . . He is likely to draw competition from Grayson's camp. Grayson's district director, Susannah Randolph, a former progressive cause activist and wife of Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph, also intends to file to run in Congressional District 9, sources have told Political Pulse." "Soto set to file for Grayson's seat; Randolph expected too."

See also "Ron DeSantis Jabs New Senate Candidate Alan Grayson" and "Race to Replace Alan Grayson in CD 9 Takes Shape."

What's wrong with Hillsborough?

"Hillsborough commissioners vie over yanking county's Confederate flag."

"Bush Outstrips Rivals in Fund-Raising"

"“Bush Outstrips Rivals in Fund-Raising as ‘Super PACs’ Swell Candidates’ Coffers”." More: "Jeb Bush team has raised $114 million for presidential run."

"Barrage of epithets"

The dissenters in yesterday's Florida Supreme Court's redistricting decision threw quite a tantrum - this from the majority's opinion:

A reader of Justice Canady’s dissent in isolation could be forgiven for believing that this Court’s decision here amounts to a creative maneuver designed to overstep its proper bounds, done in order to usurp the Legislature’s role in the redistricting process. The dissent’s attacks on this Court’s analysis are extravagant, even when measured against prior dissenting opinions in our recent redistricting cases that have accused this Court of devising “a radical alteration in the operation of the separation of powers.” Apportionment IV, 132 So. 3d at 160 (Canady, J., dissenting). The barrage of epithets employed by the dissent includes the following colorful array: “fallacious”; “fabricated”; “extreme distortion”; “revolutionary deformation”; “teeming with judicial overreaching”; “creatively cobbled”; “aggressive invasion”; “aberrant decision”; and “unprecedented incursions.”20 Dissenting op. at 110, 111, 112, 117, 127.

20. Perhaps we should take solace in not being accused of “jiggery-pokery.” See King v. Burwell, No. 14-114, 2015 WL 2473448, at *19 (U.S. June 25, 2015) (Scalia, J., dissenting).

Ruling increases Dem chances against Jolly

"For years, largely Democratic parts of St. Petersburg have been a missing jigsaw piece from the 13th Congressional District, cited by Democrats as one a prime example of Florida’s gerrymandering. Now, a ruling Thursday by the Florida Supreme Court that districts should not cross Tampa Bay could move tens of thousands of the city’s Democratic voters into District 13 — a development that has some local elected Democrats already weighing a 2016 run for the seat held by Republican David Jolly." "Pure-Pinellas House district may draw candidates from both parties."

"Cabinet should admit fault"

The Sun Sentinel editors: "The Florida First Amendment Foundation issued a scorecard that stamps a red frowny face on bad bills the Legislature approved during its regular session." "Cabinet should admit fault in secrecy case."

Marion County restores Confederate flag

"The Marion County Commission on Tuesday unanimously agreed to restore the Confederate flag that had been removed from the McPherson Governmental Complex two weeks ago." "County Commission restores Confederate flag."here.

"Officials vote unanimously to return Confederate flag to Ocala complex."

Scott faces "Pastor Protection Act"

"More than 11,000 people have signed on to a Clermont pastor's petition pressing Florida Gov. Rick Scott to back a bill that would shield clergy who refuse to marry same-sex couples." "Petition seeks 'Pastor Protection Act' in wake of gay-marriage ruling."

"Taking the fox out of the henhouse"

Scott Maxwell: "Arizona and Florida have a lot in common."

Both are run by politicians with long, proud traditions of hosing their residents.

Specifically, legislators in both states have rigged their political districts — drawing twisted, deformed boundaries to keep themselves and their buddies in office.

It's called gerrymandering. And for more than a decade, citizens in both states have tried without success to make their politicians behave.

By creating a commission with equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, it forces those who draw districts to work together ... something Florida legislators rarely do.

No system is perfect. Maybe Arizona's could be tweaked for Florida. But the idea of taking the fox out of the henhouse is way overdue.

"The Supreme Court decision is a major victory for citizens of Florida," said Pamela Goodman, president of Florida's League of Women Voters, which has fought the frustrating battle for Fair Districts. "It means that the redistricting process can once and for all be taken out of the hands of legislators."

It also means citizens can still make a difference when they take their issues directly to the polls.

And why politicians and other vested interests are so darn nervous.

Castro drives a hard bargain

Never mind wingnut superhero, dictator Fulgencio Batista's corrupt and repressive regime, and his relationships with mobsters, a Miami Herald columnist instead whines that Castro has the tenacity to drive a hard bargain: "On the Cuban side, talks are all take and no give."

"Graham following in Murphy’s footsteps"

Jeff Henderson: "Gwen Graham is following in Patrick Murphy’s footsteps -- and, so far, it’s working to her advantage. Graham burst onto the political scene last year in a rare bright spot for Democrats, in a lousy election cycle for them." "Gwen Graham Follows Patrick Murphy's Playbook."

"Harsh language" for the Miami media

"The Catholic Church is defending Cardinal Jaime Ortega against accusations that he used harsh language to refer to the the Catholic Church is defending Cardinal Jaime Ortega against accusations that he used harsh language to refer to the Miami media.." "Cuban dissidents report being attacked by government security forces."

"A Very Useful Idiot"

Nancy Smith writes that "Republicans are regarded poorly enough among Hispanics as it is. Hispanics represent a growing demographic, yet the GOP is falling further behind in winning their vote." "In Donald Trump, Democrats Have 'a Very Useful Idiot'."

More: "GOPers react to Trump on immigration" and "Donald Trump appears to have deleted an unfortunate retweet about Jeb Bush's wife."

Privatization floppery

"A private company accused of violating the rights of poor, low-level criminal offenders is on the verge of winning a contract to supervise misdemeanor probation in Hillsborough County." "Company leading bid process in Hillsborough a target of Georgia lawsuits."

To replace Murphy

"GOP congressional hopeful Rick Kozell raised $100,000 in three weeks, campaign says."

"A proverbial clown car"

"Liberal U.S. Rep. and likely Democratic Senate candidate Alan Grayson says the 2016 Republican presidential field is 'a proverbial clown car,' though he says Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul doesn’t necessarily belong in grease paint and oversized shoes." "Grayson: GOP presidential field a ‘clown car'."

Teachers are eligible for a bonus of up to $10,000 this year if they meet the state criteria for being "highly effective" and scored above the 80th percentile when they took the SAT or ACT, a test that they would have taken in high school, if they took it at all. It doesn't take a highly effective teacher to know that this is not the best way to identify and reward the best teachers.

It is one thing to encourage the best and the brightest to become teachers and make their profession so revered that they want to remain in the classroom. It is quite another to retroactively give teachers a bonus based on a test they took in high school. This is getting it exactly backward. In no way, shape or form are these really "Florida's Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarships," as the state budget calls them. Of course, nothing in the wording says a teacher couldn't take the SAT right now, even deep into a teaching career. Perhaps some enterprising teacher might do just that, sitting alongside a gaggle of college-bound teenagers, hoping not for a ticket to college but for a nice payday.

In a state that values the standardized test above all, it is perversely fitting to give teachers money not for teaching well, but for doing well on a standardized test they took years ago when they were students. What does a high SAT have to do with being a good teacher now? Nothing, of course. And once again, the Legislature meddles, muddles and misses the point, spending $44 million for no good reason.

"Florida teachers can get bonuses for tests scores — but their own old ones, not students'."

"Presidential campaign will be on full display"

Anthony Man: "The presidential campaign will be on full display this month in Fort Lauderdale, with speeches on the same day by two of the top contenders, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Jeb Bush." "Hillary Clinton, Jeb Bush set for Fort Lauderdale appearance on same day."

FlaBaggers in a tizzy

"This year’s tournament, named for author and former Cuba resident Ernest Hemingway, marked the first time since 2003 that the U.S. government allowed its citizens to sail boats in from American waters." "Havana fishing event brings anglers, worlds together."

"Bondi wasted no time"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "It came as no surprise that Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi wasted no time in seeking to resume state executions after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld, in an Oklahoma case, the use of the controversial sedative, midazolam, as part of a three-drug protocol for executions." "Better drug evidence needed before resuming executions."

Scott sits on his hands

"More than a week after the Seminole Tribe of Florida asked Gov. Rick Scott to return to the bargaining table on keeping blackjack at its casinos, the governor still has not responded." "Scott still hasn’t said whether he’ll sit down with Seminoles over blackjack dispute."

For Venezuelans, politics is next

"South Florida's burgeoning Venezuelan population is visible in culture, cuisine and commerce. As more Venezuelans become American citizens, politics is next." "After making South Florida home, Venezuelans turning to politics."

Oh ye of "stand your ground"

Jeb Bush, who signed Florida's controversial Stand Your Ground law, "is sticking to his gun-rights stance in the 2016 presidential race." "Florida at center of presidential gun debate."