Within hours, Republican lawmakers unveiled and quickly proposed two bills aimed at Disney against its objections to a new law restricting classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Once upon a time, Disney was a great partner for the state of Florida,” said Tampa Republican Jackie Toledo. “We have given them privileges because of our common history, shared goals and shared successes. Shame on us, Disney betrayed us.
It now seems almost certain that by the end of the week, the long-running symbiotic arrangement that helped make Disney an iconic entertainment brand and Florida an international tourist destination could fall apart.
Democrats have accused Republicans of retaliating against Florida’s largest private employer in ways that will resonate with the state’s major tourism economy.
“Punishing a company for daring to speak out against the governor’s radically right-wing political agenda is exactly what we see in countries like Russia and China,” said U.S. spokesman Dottie Joseph, a Miami Democrat.
Disney did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Bill will unravel a decades-old law
The blow to Disney comes in the form of a bill to uncover the 55-year-old Reedy Creek Improvement Act, a unique Florida law that helped establish Walt Disney World in the state by giving the brain behind Mickey Mouse operational autonomy.
GOP-controlled committees in the House of Representatives and the State Senate voted in favor of a bill that would end the special district on June 1, 2023.
Another bill to subject Disney to a state law that allows people to sue major technology companies for censorship was also passed by initial committees Tuesday afternoon. Disney won an exemption from the bill last year. A federal judge blocked the law, but Florida appealed the decision.
The vote came hours after DeSantis, in a surprise bombing, called on lawmakers to repeal the Reedy Creek Improvement Act. Lawmakers already had to meet in Tallahassee this week to adopt new congressional cards. Republicans in Florida and Disney have been at odds for months over legislation banning schools from teaching young children sexual orientation or gender identity. After initially refusing to comment, Disney CEO Bob Chapek publicly criticized Florida lawmakers for accepting what opponents called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and apologized to the company’s LGBTQ employees for not being stronger. defender.
Chapek announced that the company will stop making political donations in Florida after decades of generous contributions, especially to Republicans, including a $ 50,000 donation to DeSantis’ re-election efforts.
DeSantis tore Disney apart as an “awakened corporation” and criticized its business in China. After DeSantis signed the bill, Disney wrote in a statement that its “goal” was to repeal the law or defeat it in court.
Despite growing tensions, few expected Florida Republicans to take the unimaginable step of undermining the business of their most iconic company. The Reedy Creek Improvement Area covers Disney’s properties near Orlando, allowing the company to manage land within its borders and provide its own public services, such as firefighting and police. The agreement also has significant tax benefits for Disney.
But DeSantis, widely considered a presidential candidate in 2024, has vowed to challenge any business that enters the political arena to support progressive causes. He was joined in the battle by Fox prime-time presenters, who took turns criticizing Disney and getting people to turn their backs on Mickey Mouse.
Last month, DeSantis signaled support for removing Disney from its sacred status.
“Disney is alienating a lot of people now,” DeSantis said. “So, the political influence they are used to exercising, I think, is distracted. So the question is, why would you want to have special privileges in the law at all? And I don’t think we should. “
Given the choice between DeSantis, their party’s most popular elected leader, and Disney, the state’s most iconic company, it was clear Tuesday that Republican lawmakers sided with DeSantis.
“You’re digging up a hornet’s nest, things are popping up,” said Randy Fine, a Republican. “This bill is really aimed at one company. It is aimed at the Walt Disney Company. Do you want to know why? Because they are the only company in the state that has ever received the right to self-government.”
The next steps are not clear
It is unclear what dominoes will fall next if lawmakers continue. Fine said he has not spoken to Disney or surrounding cities and counties, which will likely have to take over government functions that the company has held for decades. He said Disney and other stakeholders have a year to come up with a plan. He did not rule out changing and expanding the area to improve Reedy Creek when lawmakers meet in 2023.
Disney’s unique agreement in Florida has not been without its detractors over the years. Some complain that the company does not pay its fair share of taxes. Others say he has gained an unfair advantage over the competition.
But Democrats have said Republicans are rushing for a plan of revenge, not sensible policies. They said the bill, as written, contradicts an existing state law that says a majority of residents must vote to remove a special area – which is mostly Disney employees at Reedy Creek.
“Reedy Creek has a budget of over $ 350 million; they have a debt of almost a billion dollars, “said Sen. Randolph Bracey. “The people of Orange County, Central Florida will have to take on all this debt, and that’s something we can’t handle. So I think it’s appropriate to say that this legislation is unnecessary, but it’s also obviously retribution. “
CNN’s Diane Gallagher, Jade Tim-Garcia and Sean Nottingham contributed to this report.
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