A man dressed as a mouse dances while holding a poster of Gov. Ron DeSantis at a rally in front of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, on April 16. OCTAVIO JONES / Reuters
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday called on the legislature to repeal a law that allows Walt Disney World to run a private government on its state property, the latest volley of feud between the governor and the entertainment giant over what critics called the “law.” Don’t say gay.
DeSantis, a rising Republican governor and a potential presidential candidate in 2024, is fighting Disney over the company’s opposition to a new law banning instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten until third grade.
DeSantis raised the stakes on Tuesday.
As lawmakers returned to the Capitol for a special legislative session to restructure Congress, the governor issued a proclamation allowing the Republican-controlled State House to pass bills to remove Disney’s self-governing area. Republicans were quick to make proposals.
“I am announcing today that we are expanding the scope of what they will be considering this week. So, yes, they will consider the congressional map, but they will also consider ending all the special areas that were adopted in Florida before 1968, and that includes the Reedy Creek improvement area, “De Santis told a news conference. referring to the company’s management area, without mentioning Disney by name. He did not give details.
Disney officials did not return an email requesting comment on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear how the removal of the area would affect the company or neighboring governments.
The Reedy Creek Improvement Area is a private government controlled by Disney World and established by the state legislature in 1967, which allows it to provide government services such as zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure.
The creation of the neighborhood and the control he gave Disney over 27,000 acres (11,000 acres) in Florida was a crucial element in the company’s plans to build near Orlando in the 1960s. Company officials said they needed autonomy to plan a futuristic city along with the theme park. However, the city never materialized; instead it became an EPCOT theme park.
The pressure to punish the company comes after Disney announced it would suspend political donations in the state over a new parenting law in education. Opponents called the law “Don’t say gay”, arguing that banning lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in the early grades would marginalize LGBTQ people.
Disney is one of the largest private employers in Florida: last year, the company said it had more than 60,000 employees. LGBTQ advocates working for the company criticized CEO Bob Chapek for what he said was his slow response, speaking out against the bill. Some quit their jobs in protest.
DeSantis has repeatedly attacked Disney and critics of the law, attracting considerable attention in the conservative media. He insisted that the policy was sensible and said that parents, not teachers, should discuss issues of sexual orientation and gender identity with children.
Republican lawmakers appear receptive to punishing Disney by proposing to dissolve the county by June 2023. DeSantis is a powerful governor, effectively enforcing his priorities in the state building, and both the GOP Senate President and the House Speaker the representatives support him on the issue of Disney.
Democrats were quick to criticize the governor’s move in retaliation for the company’s position on the education bill. Some have pointed out that Disney is a major economic engine in the state.
“What world are we living in right now?” Democrat Sen. Audrey Gibson asked. “This is the free state of Florida. If they disagree with the governor, he pulls out Gatling’s gun.
Retired political scientist from Rawlins College Richard Foglesong, whose book “Married to the Mouse” tells the story of Reedy Creek, said he initially thought “cooler heads would prevail” in the war of words between DeSantis and Disney.
“I believe I was wrong. “I overestimated – or underestimated – Governor DeSantis,” Foglesong said. “I see it as a legitimate threat.
Our morning and evening newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a brief summary of the most important headlines of the day. Register today.
This content looks like it was provided to The Globe by the original telegraph service. Not edited by Globe employees.
Add Comment