Photo: BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty Images
the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis advances in his plan to put the special government district of Disney where Walt Disney World is under direct state control and end the entertainment giant’s decades-long deal with the state of Florida.
The future of Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District may finally be taking shape, after a public notice posted on the Osceola County website states that there is an “intent to seek legislation before the Florida Legislature during session regular, extended, or special” related to the future of the eventual dissolution of Reedy Creek, which was signed into law last April by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The announcement refers to a motion filed by state legislators to “increase state oversight, transparency and review powers” that the special district that allows Walt Disney World self-government has enjoyed thus far.
The motion is in line with the enactment of the law approved in 2022 by the state Upper House that eliminates the special district of Reedy Creek, created in 1967 and where Disney operates.
This special district covers some 39 square miles between Osceola and Orange counties, in the center of the state, and allows Walt Disney World to have its own police, fire department, public services, among others.
This is a new chapter to the pulse that Governor Ron DeSantis maintains with Disney after the criticism that the company made for the promulgation of the controversial law known as “Don’t Say Gay” (“Do not say gay”), which prohibits teachers talk to younger students about issues of sexual orientation and gender.
In response to the notice posted by Osceola County, DeSantis stated that “the corporate kingdom has come to an end” and that, under the proposed legislation, “Disney will no longer control its own government” but will “live under the same laws as everyone else.”
In this context, Disney “will be responsible for their outstanding debts and they will pay their share of the taxes,” according to channel 2 Wesh, from Orlando.
Additionally, the “imposition of a state-controlled board will ensure that Orange County cannot use this issue as a pretext to increase taxes on Orange County residents.”
The Florida legislature’s motion related to the Reedy Creek special district further seeks to “ensure that debts and bond obligations held by the District remain with the District and are not transferred to other governments.”
Shortly before the law known as “Don’t Say Gay” was enacted, Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced that the company canceled his large political donations in Floridawhich included the governor himself.
DeSantis acknowledged receipt, going so far as to point out that Disney’s pronouncement was “dishonest” and had “crossed the line.”
And last May the Republican governor expressly signed this bill approved in the legislature that removes the privilege of self-government for Disney.
The Walt Disney World Orlando Since 1967, it had a self-government system that allowed it to grow to have half a dozen theme parks, a sports center, a huge shopping center, 25 hotels, its own police force, fire department, and nearly 80,000 employees.
It may interest you:
– How Disney managed to have its own government in Florida and why the Republicans want to end it
– “Don’t say gay”: DeSantis proposes to eliminate the special status of Disney’s World for criticizing that measure
– “Disney crossed the line”: the Florida governor’s war because Disney opposed the “Don’t say gay” law