The Republican-controlled Florida legislature approved a measure to terminate the Walt Disney Company’s management agreement with the state, potentially ending a decade-long deal that allowed the company to manage and tax its vast theme parks and resorts after by opposing what opponents have. called the state law “Don’t say gay.”
During a special legislative session convened to redraw plans to redevelop the state, the Florida House of Representatives finally passed a measure on April 21 establishing the dissolution of the area to improve Reedy Creek, Disney’s Orlando estate management structure.
The move gives Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis victory in his ongoing feud with the corporate giant – the state’s largest private employer with approximately 80,000 employees – and an economic engine and political heavyweight that has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to state lawmakers, including at least $ 50,000 for the governor’s re-election campaign.
This breaks years of a cozy relationship between the company and Republican lawmakers and could also create huge tax and financial headaches for residents who could absorb Disney bond debt as lawmakers work to unravel what happens next, before the disintegration of the region to take effect in 2023
After weeks of pressure from LGBT + advocates and Disney officials to lobby publicly against Republican-backed Parental Rights in Education Act, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has announced that the company will oppose the bill and suspend its political donations. the state.
The measure, signed by Governor DeSantis on March 28, prohibits teaching “sexual orientation or gender identity” from kindergarten to third grade and any such discussion “that is not appropriate for the age or development of students” in other classes.
The widely written law, which is the subject of a federal lawsuit for violations of federal anti-discrimination laws, could freeze classroom speech involving LGBT people and issues, from civil rights history lessons to LGBT + students, school staff, and their families. , according to opponents.
“Our goal as a company is to repeal this law or reject it in court, and we remain committed to supporting national and government organizations working to achieve this,” Disney said after the governor signed the bill last month. .
Two days later, Florida spokesman Spencer Roach said a group of state lawmakers had met at least twice to discuss potentially changing municipal government deals affecting Disney in retaliation for what he called “the company’s awakened ideology.” “.
In an email to fundraising for the campaign this week, Gov. DeSantis said “Disney and other awakened corporations will no longer be out of trade with their uncontrolled pressure campaigns.”
“They even tried to attack me to improve their wake-up program,” the email said. “And now is the time to return power to the hands of the Florida people and get out of the pockets of the awakened leaders.”
Introduced in 1967, the Reedy Creek Improvement Area functions as the governing body for Disney’s Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista properties, covering 39 square miles and land in Orange and Osceola counties.
Through Disney County, it effectively controls its land use and zoning policies and manages its own public services, including water, sanitation, emergency services and infrastructure maintenance, by imposing taxes on itself through the county council.
Democratic lawmakers in Florida have warned that without the county, taxpayers in neighboring counties would inherit tens of millions of dollars in Disney bond debt through potentially huge tax bills, although details are unclear.
The Independent requested a comment from Disney.
A spokesman for Osceola County told The Independent that the government would examine the bill “to understand the impact of preparations for its entry into force, including assessing any changes in Osceola’s costs as a result.”
“Because Disney and Reedy Creek are independent, we’re not sure what fiscal responsibilities will be imposed after June 2023,” the statement said. “Disney has been a strong partner in the community for many years, and we expect this relationship to continue as we work together on a transition plan.”
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said that if the county “takes over the first response and public safety components for Reedy Creek without new revenue, it would be disastrous for our budget in Orange County.”
“This would place an unnecessary burden on other taxpayers in Orange County to fill this gap,” he said. “I believe that they have not adequately considered the consequences of what they have proposed at the moment … It is obvious that this is the political retribution that is playing out here.”
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