Florida Governor Takes Over Disney District Council

Don Chmielewski

(Reuters) – Florida lawmakers have given Gov. Ron DeSantis effective control over a board that oversees the development of Walt Disney Co theme parks in and around central Florida, escalating Republicans’ fight with the token company.

The bill, filed Monday and passed by both houses of the legislature on Friday, gives the governor the power to appoint five monitors to administer what is now known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a quasi-governmental organization that oversees 25,000 acres of the surrounding area. Walt Disney World Resort.

Board members will be confirmed by the Senate and will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the theme parks.

“Reedy Creek granted exclusive special privileges to one corporation,” DeSantis spokesman Brian Griffin tweeted. “Until Governor Ron DeSantis took action, Disney retained sole control. It was tantamount to an irresponsible corporate kingdom. This is over and we are starting a new era of accountability and transparency.”

Disney World is the largest employer in central Florida, with approximately 75,000 employees and 36.2 million visitors in 2021, according to the Themed Entertainment Association.

Last year, the legislature voted to dissolve the Special District, which for more than half a century gave Disney autonomy to govern itself, providing public services such as fire protection, water, sewer, garbage collection and infrastructure.

The action, seen as revenge on then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek for speaking out against a state law restricting in-class discussion of LGBT issues, had unforeseen consequences.

Tax experts and lawmakers have warned that the June 2023 liquidation of the county would leave county taxpayers liable for nearly $1.2 billion in bond debt.

The new bill retains the Reedy Creek Special Area, although it will be renamed the Central Florida Tourism Supervision District within two years. It will have the power to collect revenues, pay off debts, and provide a range of public services. The district is prohibited from operating its own airport or building nuclear power plants.

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The law also expressly prohibits anyone who has been associated with theme parks within the past three years from serving on the board.

“Disney operates under a variety of models and jurisdictions around the world,” Walt Disney World President Jeff Vale said in a statement. “And regardless of the outcome, we remain committed to providing the highest quality experience to the millions of guests who come here every year.”

Florida Senator Geraldine F. “Jeri” Thompson, whose district includes Orlando, expressed concern that the governor’s appointees would reflect DeSantis’ views on diversity and inclusiveness.

Last year, DeSantis championed a law known as “Stop WOKE” that restricted talk of race in schools and workplace learning. A federal judge blocked its operation at the state’s public universities.

“With his focus on removing diversity, fairness and inclusivity, I’m concerned if he tries to infiltrate the programming side of Disney,” Thompson told Reuters.

(Reporting by Don Chmielewski from Los Angeles; Editing by Mary Milliken and Chris Reese)

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