The DeSantis vs Disney Florida has been a long stretched ‘stretch’ of a political war that seems to ensue between the GOF and Walt Disney World in Florida. The latter, which in itself seems to be an arbitrary state of its own. This is primarily due to how the Government long back in the 60s had transferred a great deal of power to the land surrounding Disney World – the Reedy Creek Act has been a great topic of strife.
As Ron DeSantis hits Disney with the judicial and legislative kicks, Disney seems to hit back in some public fields. What are the latest updates on this skirmish?
A short brief on how it began
- This may have begun a long time back. The Reedy Creek Act was passed in Florida in 1967, giving the area surrounding Walt Disney World Resort its own governmental authority similar to a county government.
- It was sought and pushed for by Disney and allowed the company to build the infrastructure for the second park. In 2021 There were ongoing tensions between DeSantis and Disney over various issues, including COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates.
The Reedy Creek Improvement Act
The law has been challenged since its passage, but the Supreme Court of Florida ruled it constitutional. Disney originally planned to use the area for an experimental city called EPCOT, but eventually only used it for its own commercial interests.
In April 2022, the Florida Legislature passed a bill to repeal the Act and abolish the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis and will take effect in June 2023.
What role does the Governor of Flordia play in this strife?
Although not yet official, it’s widely known that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is considering a presidential run in 2024. Some people hold the belief that to draw national attention, he has endorsed policies to make Florida “where woke goes to die.”
One such policy is the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, also known as the Don’t Say Gay law. Supporters claim it prevents the sexualization of content for children and reduces sexual abuse, while opponents argue it leads to bullying and discrimination against LGBTQ+ students.
The point is that the governor seems to have far-right and certain anti-idealistic goals, ones which seem to be in opposition to the ideals and values forwarded by Disney in general. Such as vaccine passports and LGBTQ Support.
DeSantis "There is a bill that will be put out in the Florida Legislature that will make sure the agreements purported to be entered into by Disney will be revoked"
— Zac Anderson (@zacjanderson) April 17, 2023
Previously, Disney had donated to several lawmakers who supported DeSantis’ policies but remained politically neutral. However, after employees and subsidiaries expressed concern, Disney’s leadership condemned the legislation and ceased contributions to Florida politicians.
In response, DeSantis and his supporters criticized Disney’s decision and threatened to revoke Disney’s special powers in the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
What is the latest update on DeSantis Vs Disney World?
Governor Ron DeSantis visited the outskirts of Disney World on Monday to introduce new legislation aimed at regaining state control over the property and counteracting Disney’s recent actions that appeared to have outsmarted him.
This move is the most recent development in the governor’s ongoing conflict with the iconic Florida company, which has helped establish his image as a culture warrior.
During the announcement, DeSantis revealed that a bill would be introduced in the Florida Legislature to repeal any agreements that Disney had claimed to have made. “There is a bill that will be put out in the Florida Legislature that will make sure the agreements purported to be entered into by Disney will be revoked,” he stated on Monday.
Concluding
Disney’s CEO Bob Iger criticized DeSantis’ actions as “anti-business” and “anti-Florida” at a shareholder meeting. DeSantis retaliated by appointing a new board to oversee the company’s property and business.
Iger defended Disney’s right to freedom of speech and expressed concern over punishing a company for exercising its constitutional rights. Despite the conflict, Iger emphasized the company’s love for Florida and its plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 new jobs at Disney World.
SOURCES: Tallahassee, Fox13, CNBC
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