Column: In Florida, DeSantis punishes Disney — by giving it a big tax cut
2 years, 8 months ago

Column: In Florida, DeSantis punishes Disney — by giving it a big tax cut

LA Times  

Ron DeSantis addresses the crowd before signing a bill dissolving the special district created to foster the development of Walt Disney World in 1967. It’s the consequence of the law DeSantis signed that will dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a special district Florida created in 1967. As a result, there is considerable confusion in Florida over how much the change will cost local taxpayers, how it will affect development on Disney’s property — the company owns pretty much all 27,258 acres lying within Reedy Creek’s bounds, or even how the Legislature’s action might produce a torrent of litigation. The credit-rating agency Fitch, which monitors the credit worthiness of municipal bond issuers like Reedy Creek, did place the district’s outstanding borrowings on negative rating watch after DeSantis signed the law April 22, however. Disney might also find a way to get the Republicans to back off, perhaps by some face-saving change to the Reedy Creek Improvement District terms that will give DeSantis a rhetorical victory while not changing anything really important about Disney’s reign over its 27,000-acre Florida kingdom.

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History of this topic

Florida tourism board approves Walt Disney World expansion plans, ending Disney-DeSantis feud
6 months, 1 week ago

Florida tourism board approves Walt Disney World expansion plans, ending Disney-DeSantis feud

LA Times  

A special Florida district that governs Walt Disney World Resort has voted unanimously to approve the company’s plans for expansion, officially ending the years-long feud between the House of Mouse and Florida Gov. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District voted Wednesday in favor of Walt Disney Co.’s proposal to expand its theme park complex in Orlando, including an $8-billion investment …

Settlement reached in lawsuit between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ allies
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Settlement reached in lawsuit between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ allies

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — Allies of Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney reached a settlement agreement Wednesday in a state court fight over how Walt Disney World is developed in the future following the takeover of the theme park resort’s government by the Florida governor. In a meeting, the DeSantis-appointed members of the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District approved …

Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees
9 months, 1 week ago

Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov. Martin Garcia’s departure as chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is coming a week after the district’s administrator, Glen Gilzean, left to accept an appointment by DeSantis as interim elections supervisor in Orange County, the home …

Column: DeSantis notches a courthouse win against Disney, thanks to a Trumpian right-wing judge
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Column: DeSantis notches a courthouse win against Disney, thanks to a Trumpian right-wing judge

LA Times  

Ron DeSantis, whose “anti-woke” campaign took aim at Walt Disney Co., just won a court victory against the company. It targets the Walt Disney Company.” In his campaign autobiography, “The Courage to Be Free,” DeSantis called Disney’s position on the Don’t Say Gay law “a textbook example of when a corporation should stay out of politics.” He added, “Disney. clearly …

DeSantis appointees seek Disney communications about governor, laws in fight over district
1 year, 1 month ago

DeSantis appointees seek Disney communications about governor, laws in fight over district

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ board appointees are seeking communications between Disney and local media, as well as documents related to the company’s position on Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, as part of a state court fight over control of the district that governs Walt Disney World. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly called the Reedy …

DeSantis appointees seek Disney communications about governor, laws in fight over district
1 year, 1 month ago

DeSantis appointees seek Disney communications about governor, laws in fight over district

LA Times  

Minnie and Mickey Mouse perform for guests during a musical show July 14 in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Friday in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ board appointees are seeking communications between Walt Disney Co. and local media, as well as documents related to the company’s position on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, as part …

Morale is down and cronyism up after DeSantis takeover of Disney World government, ex-employees say
1 year, 1 month ago

Morale is down and cronyism up after DeSantis takeover of Disney World government, ex-employees say

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — Morale and trust within the Walt Disney World government has deteriorated since allies of Florida Gov. An environmental biologist who departed the district in September after 35 years said the DeSantis allies on the board had “negatively changed my experience with top leadership, the work culture, trust, and given me a good reason to retire.” An accountant …

Disney says DeSantis-appointed district is dragging feet in providing documents for lawsuit
1 year, 1 month ago

Disney says DeSantis-appointed district is dragging feet in providing documents for lawsuit

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World’s governing district made up of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees is dragging its feet in providing requested documents to Disney in a lawsuit over who has design and construction powers over the company’s sprawling theme park resort in central Florida, Disney said in court papers. Disney on Thursday accused the Central Florida Tourism Oversight …

DeSantis allies ask Florida judge to throw out Disney’s counterclaims in lawsuit
1 year, 2 months ago

DeSantis allies ask Florida judge to throw out Disney’s counterclaims in lawsuit

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — Agreements that Disney made with the governing district for Walt Disney World before it was taken over by appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis weren’t legally valid, and the company’s counterclaims against the district should be dismissed, the governing body said in court papers filed this week. The governing district now controlled by supporters of the Republican …

DeSantis’ retaliation against Disney hurts Florida, former governors and lawmakers say
1 year, 4 months ago

DeSantis’ retaliation against Disney hurts Florida, former governors and lawmakers say

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — Saying Gov. Ron DeSantis has followed the autocratic examples of governments in Russia and China, a group of mostly Republican former high-level government officials has called the Florida governor’s takeover of Disney World’s governing district “severely damaging to the political, social, and economic fabric of the State.” The group of former governors, U.S. House members and presidential …

Ron DeSantis tells federal judge to DISMISS Disney's lawsuit over Reedy Creek
1 year, 5 months ago

Ron DeSantis tells federal judge to DISMISS Disney's lawsuit over Reedy Creek

Daily Mail  

Ron DeSantis' lawyers claimed in a Monday filing that the Florida governor is immune from Walt Disney Co.'s lawsuit against him after losing control of their special governed district Reedy Creek. Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis' lawyers filed a motion asking a federal judge to dismiss Disney's lawsuit against the Florida governor Disney Co. immediately moved to sue DeSantis over no …

DeSantis v Disney: Why Florida’s governor is at war with the Mouse
1 year, 6 months ago

DeSantis v Disney: Why Florida’s governor is at war with the Mouse

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Now, the company and allies of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis are suing one another, …

Why is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis feuding with Disney?
1 year, 7 months ago

Why is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis feuding with Disney?

Al Jazeera  

The Republican leader continues his combative stance against company that criticised an anti-LGBTQ law in Florida. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been embroiled in a bitter tussle with Walt Disney Co that began last year when the media company criticised a state bill on sexual identity and has spread to oversight of municipal services at its parks. DeSantis responded by …

Disney asks Florida court to dismiss suit from DeSantis-picked board
1 year, 7 months ago

Disney asks Florida court to dismiss suit from DeSantis-picked board

LA Times  

Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday asked a Florida judge to dismiss a lawsuit from Gov. The case concerns contracts that Disney signed with the board of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District that the new DeSantis-picked supervisors want to have declared void. Alexei Woltornist, a spokesman for the district, called Disney’s filing “entirely predictable and an acknowledgment they know they …

Disney CEO Bob Iger escalates feud with Ron DeSantis for taking away company's special tax district
1 year, 7 months ago

Disney CEO Bob Iger escalates feud with Ron DeSantis for taking away company's special tax district

Daily Mail  

Florida passed bill which prohibited talk of sexual orientation and gender identity in some elementary school grades Iger told shareholders their the special tax district battle only broke out after it spoke against 'Don't Say Gay' Disney CEO Bob Iger has taken another jab at Florida Gov. Iger said during a Wednesday earnings call that DeSantis' move to strip Disney …

DeSantis board sues Disney in latest tug-of-war in Florida
1 year, 7 months ago

DeSantis board sues Disney in latest tug-of-war in Florida

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — Days after Disney sued Florida’s governor in federal court for what it described as retaliation for opposing the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Disney World’s governing board — made up of Gov. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District sued Disney in state court in Orlando, and board members voted to defend itself in federal court in …

Disney sues DeSantis, calling park takeover ‘retaliation’
1 year, 7 months ago

Disney sues DeSantis, calling park takeover ‘retaliation’

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Disney sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday over the Republican’s takeover of its theme park district, alleging the governor waged a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” after the company opposed a law critics call “Don’t Say Gay.” The lawsuit was filed in Tallahassee minutes after a Disney World oversight board appointed by DeSantis voted to void …

Disney SUES Ron DeSantis in war over Reedy Creek
1 year, 7 months ago

Disney SUES Ron DeSantis in war over Reedy Creek

Daily Mail  

Disney isn't going down without a fight as the 'corporate kingdom' sued Ron DeSantis and Florida's Tourism Oversight Board for stripping its control over Reedy Creek. Special tax district Reedy Creek is the home to Disney World and Walt Disney World resorts, it employs 75,000 people and attracts 50 million visitors every year. Ron DeSantis and Florida's Tourism Oversight Board …

Florida Governor DeSantis intensifies battle with Disney
1 year, 8 months ago

Florida Governor DeSantis intensifies battle with Disney

Al Jazeera  

DeSantis said the US state will nullify a development agreement that Disney had put in place to safeguard its business. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has said the state legislature will file a bill to revoke an agreement the Walt Disney Company reached to circumvent state oversight of its parks, intensifying the battle between a likely US presidential contender and one …

Gov. DeSantis surrogates escalate tit-for-tat versus Disney
1 year, 8 months ago

Gov. DeSantis surrogates escalate tit-for-tat versus Disney

Associated Press  

Ron DeSantis’ appointees to Disney World’s governing board have launched a fresh salvo in the fight to control the resort, seeking to expand their authority after their Disney-controlled predecessors abdicated most powers to the company. Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District are floating a resolution saying the board has “superior authority” over all land development decisions for the …

Disney's Bob Iger takes aim at DeSantis and says 'to be punished' for free speech is 'not Florida'
1 year, 8 months ago

Disney's Bob Iger takes aim at DeSantis and says 'to be punished' for free speech is 'not Florida'

Daily Mail  

Disney's CEO has slammed Ron DeSantis' decision to do away with the company's self-governing privileges in Florida - calling the maneuver 'retaliation' to the park's opposition to his 'Don't Say Gay' bill. Scroll down for video: Disney's CEO slammed Ron DeSantis' decision to do away with the company's self-governing district during the company's earnings call MOnday, calling the maneuver 'retaliation' …

Column: How Disney’s lawyers brutally mauled DeSantis over control of Disney World
1 year, 8 months ago

Column: How Disney’s lawyers brutally mauled DeSantis over control of Disney World

LA Times  

Did you really believe that Florida’s arrogant Gov. DeSantis handpicked a board of cronies to take over control of Reedy Creek Improvement District — the quasi-governmental entity that Disney and Florida established more than 55 years ago to control development and management of the land on which Walt Disney World, Epcot and the company’s related enterprises sit. — Joe Patrice, …

What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis?
1 year, 9 months ago

What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis?

LA Times  

Standing at the podium at a fire station in Florida’s Lake Buena Vista — home to Walt Disney World — Gov. Under legislation DeSantis signed Monday, the state of Florida took control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which essentially operated as Disney’s private municipal government in the area containing Walt Disney World and other parks. The move is widely …

Ron DeSantis takes over Disney district after ‘Don’t Say Gay’ row
1 year, 9 months ago

Ron DeSantis takes over Disney district after ‘Don’t Say Gay’ row

The Telegraph  

Republican governor Ron DeSantis has declared an end to Walt Disney’s “corporate kingdom” as he gained effective control of the company’s Florida theme parks. In response to Disney’s allegedly “woke” opposition to his political agenda, Mr DeSantis enacted a new bill that allows him to appoint his own board over services provided in the area dominated by the world’s largest …

DeSantis nears takeover of Disney government in Florida
1 year, 10 months ago

DeSantis nears takeover of Disney government in Florida

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis moved closer to taking over Walt Disney World’s self-governing district Thursday after House Republicans approved legislation meant to punish the company over its opposition to the law critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.” The bill would leave the district intact but would change its name and require DeSantis to appoint a five-member governing …

Ron DeSantis Expected To Control Disney District Governing Board
1 year, 10 months ago

Ron DeSantis Expected To Control Disney District Governing Board

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis would take control over the board of a special governing district Walt Disney World operates in Florida under a bill introduced Monday, as the Republican governor punishes the company over its opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. Republican leaders in the statehouse, in coordination with DeSantis, have begun a …

DeSantis feud with Disney enters new phase as Florida lawmakers announce special session next week
1 year, 10 months ago

DeSantis feud with Disney enters new phase as Florida lawmakers announce special session next week

CNN  

CNN — Florida lawmakers will return to the state Capitol in Tallahassee next week to finalize their efforts to strip the Walt Disney Company of its special governing powers, the latest round of the yearlong feud between Republican Gov. In addition to settling Disney’s future, lawmakers in the GOP-controlled legislature will also consider changes to two other contentious DeSantis priorities …

Federal judge dismisses Florida taxpayer lawsuit over Disney World district
2 years, 7 months ago

Federal judge dismisses Florida taxpayer lawsuit over Disney World district

LA Times  

Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference in January, joined by members of Congress and others. A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a taxpayer lawsuit from Florida residents who sued the state and its Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, over a decision to dissolve Walt Disney Co.’s special self-governing district near Orlando. The legal battle is part of the broader fallout …

Disney Florida fallout: Taxpayers sue DeSantis for axing company’s special tax status
2 years, 7 months ago

Disney Florida fallout: Taxpayers sue DeSantis for axing company’s special tax status

LA Times  

LGBTQ employees and their supporters walk out of Disney Animation to protest Disney Chief Executive Bob Chapek’s handling of the staff controversy over Florida’s Parental Rights in Education. A handful of Florida residents are suing the state and its Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, over the decision to dissolve Walt Disney Co.’s special self-governing district near Orlando, saying the move will …

Ron DeSantis' war against Disney is about to hit a major snag: legal expert
2 years, 7 months ago

Ron DeSantis' war against Disney is about to hit a major snag: legal expert

Raw Story  

On Tuesday, writing for Bloomberg Tax, attorney Jacob Schumer walked through how the plan by Gov. The plan, passed as part of a special session bill in which legislators also approved DeSantis' plan to cut the number of Black congressional districts, would eliminate the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the special taxing district Disney uses to essentially run its own mini-government …

'Undemocratic and unfair': Ron DeSantis' Disney stunt leaves Florida holding the bag
2 years, 8 months ago

'Undemocratic and unfair': Ron DeSantis' Disney stunt leaves Florida holding the bag

Raw Story  

In 1967, Disney struck an unprecedented deal with the state of Florida. "While Disney bullies state legislators and uses their platform to force-feed their woke agenda to young children, they shouldn't receive any special privileges or legislative exemptions to do so," said Jessica Anderson, Heritage's executive director. "And then what happens under Florida law is all of Reedy Creek's debts …

Disney government dissolution bill signed by DeSantis
2 years, 8 months ago

Disney government dissolution bill signed by DeSantis

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Friday to dissolve the private government Walt Disney World controls on its property in the state, punishing the entertainment giant for opposing a new law that critics call “Don’t Say Gay.” The move is expected to have huge tax implications for Disney and further sour the relationship between the …

EXPLAINER: Why are Disney and DeSantis feuding in Florida?
2 years, 8 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why are Disney and DeSantis feuding in Florida?

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. The new law is largely seen as retribution for Disney’s criticism of a new state law that critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay,” which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. The bill, which the Legislature passed on Thursday and DeSantis signed into law on Friday, would eliminate the …

DeSantis signs law to ax Disney’s self-governance privileges
2 years, 8 months ago

DeSantis signs law to ax Disney’s self-governance privileges

LA Times  

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law to strip Walt Disney Co. of its self-governance privileges in the state and said the entertainment giant will end up paying more taxes with the new legislation. They’re going to pay more taxes as a result.” The legislation, which sets to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District created where Disney operates its Walt …

Florida lawmakers vote to revoke Disney’s perks
2 years, 8 months ago

Florida lawmakers vote to revoke Disney’s perks

Al Jazeera  

Disney has criticized a law backed by Ron DeSantis, the governor of the US state of Florida, that limits school instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation. Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a measure to strip Walt Disney Co. of its self-governance privileges in the state, escalating a feud between Governor Ron DeSantis and the entertainment giant. “We’re trying to understand …

Years of fruitful relations between Disney, Florida at risk
2 years, 8 months ago

Years of fruitful relations between Disney, Florida at risk

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — The idea was presented to Florida lawmakers in a movie house outside Orlando 55 years ago, with Walt Disney, who had died less than two months earlier, helping make the pitch from the screen: Let Disney form its own government and in exchange it would create a futuristic city of tomorrow. Republican Rep. Randy Fine, sponsor of …

Florida counties could end up footing Disney's $1B bond debt
2 years, 8 months ago

Florida counties could end up footing Disney's $1B bond debt

Daily Mail  

Florida lawmakers have voted to strip Disney of its special status as a self-governing area as the war between Governor Ron DeSantis and the company rumbled on. Florida lawmakers have voted to strip Disney of its special status as a self-governing area as the war between Governor Ron DeSantis and the company rumbled on It comes amid claims Disney could …

Florida Gov DeSantis pushes to end Disney self-government
2 years, 8 months ago

Florida Gov DeSantis pushes to end Disney self-government

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday asked the Legislature to repeal a law allowing Walt Disney World to operate a private government over its properties in the state, the latest volley in a feud between the governor and the entertainment giant over what critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. DeSantis, an ascendant GOP governor and …

Ron DeSantis will decide THIS WEEK whether to rip up Disney's special district status
2 years, 8 months ago

Ron DeSantis will decide THIS WEEK whether to rip up Disney's special district status

Daily Mail  

Ron DeSantis has ramped up his war with Disney as he said he will decide this week whether to terminate a law that allows the firm to effectively govern itself. Disney faced a backlash for initially failing to oppose the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill after donating money to all of its sponsors Walt Disney's 'Magic Kingdom': How 1967 law …

Column: In Florida, Disney learns what happens when its politicians won’t stay bought
2 years, 8 months ago

Column: In Florida, Disney learns what happens when its politicians won’t stay bought

LA Times  

Walt Disney Co. has dominated Florida for so long that the very idea of a backlash from the state’s political leaders has been unimaginable. That gave Disney enormous power over the proposed site of Walt Disney World, triggering the truly epic growth of the Orlando area from a zone that, as Robert N. Jenkins of the St. Petersburg Times described …

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