Disney ‘has a new sheriff in town,’ says Florida governor Ron DeSantis
Disney will have “a new sheriff in town,” Governor Ron DeSantis boasted once Florida officially takes control of Disney’s special tax district.
DeSantis lobbed his latest volley at the Mouse House as the Florida legislature held a special session to consider the bill. strip Disney of its autonomy Within the Reedy Creek Improvement District, where the company has had near autonomy for decades.
“Obviously this is going to be controlled by the state of Florida, who no longer have their autonomy,” DeSantis said at a press conference in Ocala on Wednesday. “So there’s a new sheriff in town, and that’s exactly what happens.”
Under the bill, backed by DeSantis and state Republicans, the governor would have the power to appoint members of a new five-member committee for the special district, which will be renamed the Central Florida Tourist Watch District.
The bill would keep the district intact after DeSantis and others first called for it to be dissolved entirely.Disney would have to comply with state regulations within the district.Critics warned disband the district It would shift the financial burden to Florida taxpayers.
“Disney will no longer have autonomy. They are not going to have their own government,” said DeSantis. “Disney will pay its fair share of taxes and Disney will meet his debts, and that’s exactly what this proposed bill will do.”
The bill’s acceptance or rejection will be decided at a special session that began earlier this week and is expected to last 12 days.
DeSantis has targeted Disney for months after company executives publicly criticized the passing of a Republican-backed “don’t say gay” law in the state.
“Given the long history of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, we are monitoring the progress of the complex bill,” Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Valle said in a statement earlier this week.
“Disney operates under a variety of models and jurisdictions around the world and remains committed to providing the millions of guests who visit each year with the highest quality experience, regardless of the outcome,” said Vahle. added Mr.
War over special zones is another headache for Disney, which is trying to bounce back after a long period of stock-price declines.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has announced plans to lay off 7,000 people as part of the company’s drastic cost-cutting plan.
https://nypost.com/2023/02/09/disney-has-new-sheriff-in-town-florida-gov-ron-desantis-says/ Disney ‘has a new sheriff in town,’ says Florida governor Ron DeSantis
