Tallahassee, Florida – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday called on the Legislature to repeal a law that would allow Walt Disney World to operate a private government on its state property, the latest blow in a fight between the governor and the entertainment giant for what critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay”w.
DeSantis, a rising GOP governor and potential candidate for the 2024 presidency, has fought with Disney for the company’s opposition to the new law banning instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from the garden of children up to the third grade.
On Tuesday, DeSantis raised the stakes.
When lawmakers returned to the Capitol for special legislative session on the redistribution of congressional districts, the governor issued a proclamation allowing the GOP-controlled state government to take over the accounts that eliminate Disney’s autonomous district. Republicans quickly put forward proposals to do so.
“Today I announce that we are extending the call for what will be raised this week. And so yes, they will consider the map of Congress, but they will also consider the extinction of all special districts that were enacted in Florida before 1968, and that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District, “DeSantis told a news conference, referring to the company’s governing district without mentioning Disney by name. He did not go into depth.
Disney representatives did not return a request for feedback sent by email on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear how the removal of the district would affect the business or neighboring governments.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District is a Disney World-controlled private government created by the state legislature in 1967 that allows it to provide government services such as zoning, fire protection, utilities, and infrastructure.
The creation of the district, and the control that gave Disney more than 27,000 acres in Florida, was a crucial element in the company’s plans to build near Orlando in the 1960s. Company officials said they needed autonomy to plan a futuristic city along with the theme park. The city never materialized, however; instead, it was transformed into the EPCOT theme park.
The push to punish the company comes after Disney announced it would suspend political donations to the state under the new Parental Rights in Education Act. Opponents dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law, arguing that banning lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in the early years would marginalize LGBTQ people.
Disney is one of Florida’s largest private employers: last year, the company said it had more than 60,000 employees in the state. LGBTQ advocates working for the company criticized CEO Bob Chapek for what he said was his slow response to speak out against the bill. Some quit their jobs in protest.
DeSantis has repeatedly attacked Disney and law critics, gaining considerable attention in the conservative media spheres. He insists the policy is reasonable and says parents, not teachers, should address issues of sexual orientation and gender identity with children.
Republican lawmakers seem receptive to punishing Disney, presenting proposals that would dissolve the district in June 2023. DeSantis has been a powerful governor, effectively pushing his priorities in the statute, and both the GOP Senate Speaker and the House spokesman they support him on the Disney theme.
Democrats quickly criticized the governor’s move as a reward for the company’s position on the education bill. Some noted that Disney has been a major economic driver in the state.
“In what world are we living now?” asked Democratic Sen. Audrey Gibson. “It’s Florida’s state of freedom. If they don’t agree with the governor, take out the Gatling gun.”
Attempts by Democrats to dilute the bill that would dissolve the six special districts failed in the Florida Senate on Tuesday night, CBS Orlando affiliate WKMG-TV reports.
Senate Majority Leader Gary Farmer of Fort Lauderdale tried to change the measure because, instead of getting rid of special districts next year, the state would conduct a study to determine what impacts it would have. the bill, if any.
The amendment was not put to the vote.
Retired Rollins College political scientist Richard Foglesong, whose book, “Married to the Mouse,” explains the Reedy Creek Formation, said he initially thought “colder heads would prevail” in the war of words between DeSantis and Disney.
“I think I was wrong. I overestimated or underestimated Governor DeSantis,” Foglesong said. “I see it as a legitimate threat.”
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- Law “Don’t say gay.”
- disney
- ron desantis
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