TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ battle with Disney escalated Tuesday when he announced that lawmakers will consider repealing the governing structure for Disney’s Florida properties, a move that could end special …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ battle with Disney escalated Tuesday when he announced that lawmakers will consider repealing the governing structure for Disney’s Florida properties, a move that could end special privileges the company has long enjoyed and appears aimed at punishing Disney for speaking out against the so-called « Don’t Say Gay » law. DeSantis expanded the scope of a special legislative session that began Tuesday on redistricting, broadening it so that lawmakers “also will be considering termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968, » DeSantis said. The legislation, HB 3C and SB 4-C, the « Independent Special Districts » bill, quickly advanced in the House and Senate shortly after the governor’s announcement. Republicans on the House State Affairs Committee slammed Disney as « perverted by a woke mob » and « goofy with power » before the measure passed by a 14-7 vote. “You kick the hornet’s nest, things come up, » said Republican state Rep. Randy Fine, who sponsored the House bill. Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District was created by the Legislature in 1967. It spans two counties and 25,000 acres, and gives the company broad powers to control what happens on Disney property. Reedy Creek levies taxes and controls everything from roads to the water and electric systems in a 38.5-square-mile area covering four theme parks, two water parks, more than 40,000 hotel rooms and a slew of restaurants and retail stores. Disney company officials did not immediately respond to DeSantis’ announcement. Republicans lawmakers and DeSantis began criticizing Disney’s governing structure after the company’s CEO spoke out against HB 1557, the legislation officially known as the Parental Rights in Education act but derided by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
