This move could have significant tax implications for Disney. His series of theme parks has transformed Orlando into one the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It also serves to further derail the relationship between the Republican government and a major player in the state’s political system. Disney did not respond to an email Thursday seeking comment.
DeSantis’ attack on Disney is the latest salvo in his culture war over policies involving race and gender. These battles have made him one the most beloved GOP politicians in the nation and are likely to make him a 2024 presidential candidate.
Thursday’s legislative vote would have the Reedy Creek Improvement District (as the 55-year-old Disney government was known) eliminated. It also would have a few other similar districts removed by June 2023. The measure allows for the districts to be restored, which gives them an opportunity to renegotiate their future. Now, the bill is headed to DeSantis’s office for being signed into law.
The vote ended a three-day bitter special legislative session. During that time, lawmakers had to pass a new congressional map drawn in DeSantis’s name. They also had to take up the Disney bill at Governor’s request. On Thursday, tensions flared when Democrats protested the map on the House floor. Republicans were forced to leave briefly.
As GOP lawmakers returned to the House, they passed both bills and opposed the new map.
Fentrice Driskell, a Democratic Representative from California, stated that the Disney measure was “clearly not going to get heard” and “he rushed it through”.
The company and Disney began their dispute when they criticised a new law that prohibits instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through third grade. They also object to instruction that isn’t “age-appropriate or developmentalally appropriate”.
In March, Disney stated that it would suspend political contributions in the state. It also said that it would support groups working against the new law. DeSantis and his fellow Republicans slammed Disney and then defended the law as reasonable.
DeSantis stated Wednesday that “Disney, and other woke corporations will not get away with peddling unchecked pressure campaign,” in a fundraising pitch. We must stand together now if we are to hold the Democrat machine accountable and their corporate lapdogs responsible.
Democrats have criticised the Disney proposal as clear retaliation and warned that local homeowners may be hit with large tax bills if the company takes on bond debt. However, such details are not clear.
Disneyis Florida’s largest private employer. It reported last year that it employed more than 60,000 people. It is unclear how the dissolution of the district would affect the company and local governments that surround its properties.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District was created and Disney gained control over more than 27,000 acres (11,000 ha) in Florida. This was an important element of Disney’s 1960s plans to build near Orlando. Officials from the company stated that they needed to be able to design a futuristic city alongside the theme park. However, the city did not materialize. Instead, Epcot became the Epcot theme parks.
