Florida lawmakers will transfer to extend state management of Walt Disney World’s personal authorities, in response to a discover revealed Friday, the most recent growth in a feud over what legislation critics have dubbed “Do not Say Homosexual.”
The notice posted on the Osceola County web site says the Republican-controlled statehouse will take up laws altering the construction and powers of the Reedy Creek Enchancment District, because the 55-year-old Disney authorities is thought.
A invoice has not but been filed detailing precisely what modifications can be into consideration, however the discover serves as a procedural step in what has turn into a intently watched course of between Disney and Florida.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis final 12 months signed laws that may dissolve the Disney government in June 2023. The transfer was supposed to punish the corporate for its public opposition to a legislation that bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender id in kindergarten via third grade, in addition to classes deemed not age applicable. Disney additionally stated it could droop political donations within the state and that it could help organizations working to oppose the schooling legislation.
DeSantis and statehouse Republicans slammed the leisure big, accusing it of pushing so-called woke ideologies which can be inappropriate for kids.
Political fallout
The feud marked an escalation in an ongoing tradition battle that has made DeSantis one of many nation’s hottest Republicans and a probable 2024 GOP presidential candidate. Disney is a significant political donor and considered one of Florida’s largest employers, with greater than 60,000 employees within the state.
The creation of Reedy Creek district was instrumental in Disney’s resolution to construct close to Orlando within the Nineteen Sixties. Having a separate authorities permits the corporate to offer zoning, hearth safety, utilities and infrastructure providers on its sprawling property.
“The company kingdom has come to an finish,” Taryn Fenske, a spokeswoman for DeSantis, stated in a written assertion. “Disney will not management its personal authorities, will stay below the identical legal guidelines as everybody else, will likely be accountable for their excellent money owed, and can pay their justifiable share of taxes. Imposing a state-controlled board may even be sure that Orange County can not use this challenge as a pretext to lift taxes on Orange County residents.”
The language of Friday’s discover aligns with assurances Republican lawmakers and DeSantis have made concerning the district’s future, together with a pledge that the district’s money owed and bond obligations wouldn’t fall to native county governments.
The discover additionally says the laws would intend to extend state accountability of the district, change how its governing physique is chosen, and revise allowing guidelines and the district’s regulatory frameworks, amongst different issues.
The Legislature is about to fulfill for its subsequent common session in March.