Florida lawmakers to finalize plans to strip Disney of its special powers of self-governance

Florida lawmakers will meet next week to decide whether Disney World’s autonomous power should be replaced by a state board under sweeping plans backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The session will focus on whether to reverse the earlier decision to dissolve the district and Disney’s special governance privileges, which it has held for 55 years.

The reform, part of an ongoing dispute between Disney and state officials that began with the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, would also force the company to pay back $700 million in unsecured debt that would otherwise way, taxpayers could have paid.

It’s unclear how a state-run oversight board could function and what kind of financial control it would have over the Disney-run operation.

Since 1967, Disney has been responsible for the government of an area known as Reedy Creek, which lies partly within Orange and Osceola counties. New bill would put a state board in charge of governance

It is claimed that the plan to install a state board could force Disney to pay the debt.

Since 1967, Disney has been responsible for the government of an area known as Reedy Creek, which lies partly within Orange and Osceola counties. Critics say the deal gives the firm special legal and tax privileges.

Walt Disney World Resort has the ability to tax itself at a higher rate than allowed by local authorities.

DeSantis launched an effort to change Disney’s self-governance powers after the company’s former CEO Bob Chapek condemned Florida’s educational rights bill, dubbed the Don’t Say Gay bill, which limits teaching about sex and gender identity in state classrooms.

On Thursday, DeSantis said lawmakers were meeting to “make sure Disney no longer has self-government status,” but he hasn’t explained how the state would handle Disney’s nearly $1 billion in bond debt, which that will leave the residents of Orange and Osceola. liable if Disney’s ability to tax itself remains outside the law.

The meeting will also address various issues, including issues with state laws related to immigrants, college athletes, voter fraud, hurricane recovery and local water control districts, according to memos from Senate Speaker Kathleen Passidomo. , and the speaker of the House, Paul Renner, seen by the Miami Herald.

The controversy began last spring when Disney opposed legislation on parental rights in education and the governor responded by including dissolving Disney’s special taxing district in a special session on redistricting.

The Reedy Creek District is governed by its 19 landowners, the largest of which is Disney World. Disney’s status as a majority landowner means it chooses the district’s board members

In April 2022, DeSantis signed the plan to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District into law, setting the wheels in motion to remove its special status.

His former chief of staff said the governor was “doing exactly what he said he would do,” adding: “Disney can no longer have its own government and its own tax authority, and Disney, not the taxpayers, will have to be held accountable for any consequences.” financial. .’

The author of Florida’s controversial Don’t Say Gay bill told DailyMail.com in December that the state will not back down in its fight against Disney.

Florida state representative Randy Fine also said that in order for the media giant to mend its relationship with Florida, the studio must stop producing awakening movies.

His comments follow a report in the Financial Times that said Florida lawmakers were considering allowing Disney to continue its autonomous district in the Orlando area following the return of former CEO Bob Iger.

DeSantis allies said the development was the governor ‘doing exactly what he said he would do’ after he signed into law the plan to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District in April 2022.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office insisted at the time: “Governor DeSantis does not do U-turns.”

The Reedy Creek District is governed by its 19 landowners, the largest of which is Disney World.

It is responsible for overseeing land use and providing essential public services, including fire protection, emergency medical services, water, electricity, and sanitation services. The district also operates and maintains all public roads and bridges.

Disney CEO Bob Iger made a shock return to the role in November after it was reported that the board received multiple complaints about Chapek.

Chapek was reportedly reprimanded for Disney’s confused reaction to the Don’t Say Gay bill. Initially, the company did not comment on the bill, but under pressure, Chapek eventually condemned it.