Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, signed a law this Friday to withdraw Disney from its special legal status of self-government in the state, in through a political confrontation with the company.
Disney has its own local government and can collect taxes, approve building codes and control public services within its territory, where its facilities are located. resorts and theme parks.
The approved law is seen as a retaliation by DeSantis for company executives’ opposition to a law that prohibits discussing sexual orientation and gender diversity in Florida elementary schools. Dubbed by its detractors as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, it also allows parents to sue school districts.
Disney has not expressed itself on the controversy.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID , in English) by which Disney is governed was created by an agreement between the state and the company in 1967.
Gave the entertainment giant the power to establish its own municipal government, delegated to a board of supervisors. Disney could even build its own airport or nuclear power plant if it wanted to.
RCID freed the company from government bureaucracy for half a century. Today, Disney is the largest employer in Florida, with nearly 54, workers.
“I am not comfortable with the fact that this type of agenda has special treatment in my state,” said DeSantis in reference to the company, quoted by The New York Times once signed the law.
Opposition to “Don’t say gay”
At first Disney was silent about the call “Don’t say gay” law, but changed position after employees pressured their executives to show opposition.
In March, its CEO, Bob Chapek, promised to push for the repeal of the legislation and fight against similar projects in the US In addition, he said that he would cut the donations that the multinational gives to the Republican Party of Florida.
In response, DeSantis said or that the company had “crossed the line”.
According to the media outlet “Politico”, Disney donations to Republicans in the 2020 election cycle totaled $913,000 dollars, while the direct contribution to the governor was $,000 Dollars.
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