Court: State doesn't owe fees despite lost case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida appeals court says taxpayers don’t have to pay attorney fees for groups that sued the Legislature over congressional districts.

The 1st District Court of Appeal ruled Thursday that the League of Women Voters of Florida and a coalition of other groups cannot ask the state to pay their legal fees.

The groups successfully challenged the congressional districts adopted by the Florida Legislature.

Attorneys for the groups maintained that taxpayers should pay millions in legal fees because of the “strong public interest” and unique nature of the case.

The trial judge disagreed and said that the court must follow the usual practice in Florida.

The appeals court upheld that ruling and stated that it should be left to the Legislature to decide whether to allow the award of attorney fees.