@mvd103 -
I just used speed grader about 30 minutes ago and did not notice that issue.
I just went and checked a different assignment and the issue was not there(this was on chrome)
So, I tried out firefox. The issue was there for me in firefox. My guess is that it was in Chrome as well, but once you have done the steps you described (which I had), the problem goes away.
I had a thought about something I noticed in firefox, so I cleared cookies and cache after logging out and logged back in. The amount of space is related to the length of the rubric - longer rubrics more space is put in.
On my first attempt with firefox, I thought doing the procedure fixed it for any assignment. My second login, it did not work that way. Plus if I fixed it in speedgrader for an assignment and closed speedgrader. The next time I opened speedgrader, it was back.
So there is definitely something going on
edit -
I have never submitted a ticket before, so I submitted this with a link to the forum question.