DeSantis signs bill that gives him more control of Disney's special district

[News Junkie]

Source: CNN

Appearing at the doorstep of Walt Disney World, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday that gives him new power over Disney, effectively punishing the entertainment giant for speaking out against the Republican’s political agenda.

The new law amounts to a state takeover of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the government body that has given Disney unique powers in Central Florida for more than half a century. It allows the governor to replace the district’s existing board – mostly people with ties to Disney – with a five-member body that he hand-picks.

“Today, the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end,” DeSantis said Monday at a Reedy Creek fire station in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. “There’s a new sheriff in town and accountability will be the order of the day.”

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/27/politics/desantis-disney-reedy-creek/index.html

[CrispyQ]

1. Any chance they'll build a new Disney World somewhere a little less fascist? -nt

[Historic NY]

2. Desantis World

[peppertree]

13. And a Mickey Mouse governor to go with it

Or rather...

[sinkingfeeling]

3. From the 'happiest place on earth' to fascism.

[News Junkie]

6. Right? It seems more like 'total control'

[ProudMNDemocrat]

4. Just wait until Homeowners and Businesses get their new Property Tax statements.

See how that will go over! I doubt Floridians will be all that happy.

[MayReasonRule]

37. That's right!

Estimates place it somewhere between $1 to $2 Billion.

That's the taxpayer's burden.

$1 to $2 Billion to "own the libs".

These idiots would cut their own dick off and shove it up your ass to just to claim that some-one else is "GAY"...

For fucks sake.

May reason rule.

[Zeitghost]

58. Disney will still pay all of the tax assessments

Nothing has changed on that front.

[MayReasonRule]

70. Yep, you're correct. Thank you

[AllaN01Bear]

5. what good is this doing the state in general? could disney sue?

[jimfields33]

9. No. You can't sue because your sweet deal that only your company benefitted from

is being taken away. Lol.

[Samrob]

20. You mean they don't have stock holders?

[geretogo]

7. Sounds like this tyrant is taking advice from his friend Putin .

[ZonkerHarris]

27. The GOP are now against unions AND corporations. It's a unique postition.

[Zeitghost]

59. Conversely

We know have a large contingent of progressive liberals arguing that the State government should continue to cede control of property tax assessments, zoning and building permits to a large corporation for their sole benefit.

Politics makes for for strange bedfellows.

[ZonkerHarris]

63. no, we're saying the state should stand by the deals they make and not pass laws to punish a busines

that disagrees with them publicly

[Zeitghost]

65. I agree the motives are sinister

But the idea that we should never question a government law/policy/action taken/written expressly to give a corporation power and money is crazy.

The Disney deal in Florida exempts them from sales and property taxes and gives them power to approve their own building permits and zoning regulations is insane and shouldn't be supported by anyone claiming to be a progressive. If this district were being proposed today by Disney, DU would be in an uproar.

[ZonkerHarris]

66. and Disney ran it better than the banana republic that is Florida. Florida has made more off Disney

than they can count

[Zeitghost]

67. So give corporations

governmental power, a self permitting process and massive tax breaks, but only in Florida? Only in red states?

[lonely bird]

8. Here is hoping that the Mouse pulls out of Florida

And absolutely destroys every ride, attraction and whatever that they cannot take with them.

[SouthernDem4ever]

10. Don't know if Disney could absorb that much physical loss

I can see them doing what they can to get rid of Desantis. That is their best chance.

[SoCalDavidS]

11. They'll Support Him For President, Then He Won't Be Governor Of The Shithole State

He'll just be President of the Shithole country.

[SouthernDem4ever]

16. That won't help - there are plenty of intern dictators ready to take his place down there

He's made the blueprint for them to follow.

[SoCalDavidS]

22. Yeah, Disney Is Stuck With It

Unlike what some people have suggested, they can't just move.

[lonely bird]

39. Companies close plants all the time

Sure, Disney would take a hit but if they wanted to move they could.

[SoCalDavidS]

40. This Is The Dumbest Idea Imaginable

It amazes me how people even suggest this is a possibility. It is ridiculous.

We're talking about the largest theme park in the world. They can't move it, and it won't be closed. They'll suck up whatever consequences come their way.

I'm obviously wasting my time trying to explain this reality, so I'll end this conversation here.

[Polybius]

42. What company in US history has ever moved that was the size of Disneyland?

[Dan]

43. The U.S. Military.

[Zeitghost]

60. That is impossible

Disney could not get the financing needed to move/rebuild Disney World, even if they could find a suitable place with enough land. Nobody would finance a move that financially irresponsible.

Investors and creditors would flee like rats off a sinking ship. It would be financial ruin to attempt such a thing.

[lonely bird]

64. I no longer give a fuck

But thanks anyway.

Disney and DeathSantis can go die somewhere.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

34. Mickey and the rest of the employees could use a long paid vacation.

"Shut Down by Order of Gov. DeSantis"

[SouthernDem4ever]

12. A new sheriff?

For what? Making sure LGBTQ people don't have rights? What an asshole.

[Freethinker65]

14. Just legislatively declare DeSantis King of Florida and be done with it.

[bucolic_frolic]

15. Theft by taking /nt

[Fiendish Thingy]

17. Just to be clear, DeSantis doesn't control Disney World now.

He can control the board that manages the land and infrastructure that Disney World is built on, and if Disney doesn’t like how the board behaves, they can still sue or leave.

[machoneman]

23. Lawsuit! I smell lawsuit! Disney apparently has waited until his boasts became law. Now we will see.

Besides Disney's megabucks and army of lawyers, we could also see many a lawsuit filed by residents, affected counties, Disney employees and a raft of Disney item sellers outside of the actual Reedy Creek site...and believe me, there are many of them with a vested interest in not upsetting the very profitable apple cart!

[Zipgun]

18. Nelson Pelz "activist investor" wants on Disney's board of directors and is a DeSantis donor.

Desantis has given Pelz's son millions in no bid Covid contracts. It's a multi layered assault. Pelz recently ended his bid for a seat on the board, but could take another run at it at any time.

[William Seger]

19. So, will the new sheriff be arresting people for wokeness?

Asking for a friend.

[machoneman]

24. Yes and the beatings will start immediately! Drop your drawers and show me your sex! STAT!

[jmowreader]

21. What should be Disney's response

Dear Governor DeSantis:

In 2022 we contracted with Rosenbauer America to purchase 25 new fire engines for the Reedy Creek Improvement District at a total cost of $32 million, with Chevrolet to purchase 200 new police cars at a total cost of $6 million and with nine paving contractors to provide a total of $50 million in new and upgraded streets within the Reedy Creek Improvement District. None of these contracts are cancelable.

You will be pleased to know that those eleven firms have agreed to send their bills to the State of Florida since we no longer have the authority to pay them ourselves.

With warmest regards.

[TeamProg]

25. +1

[Zeitghost]

61. The district still owes the money

And the property owners in the district (Disney) will still be assessed a tax to pay them.

[ZonkerHarris]

26. If you have a business and oppose the GOP they will try to destroy it. New world order

[Paladin]

28. As I keep saying: DeSantis is a lot scarier than trump.

More evidence of that, every day. Basic reason: unlike trump, DeSantis is not a fucking moron.

[cstanleytech]

29. Disney should sue in the grounds of a 1st amendment violation as the law that was passed was done so

purely to punish Disney for expressing in essence it's speech.

[ananda]

30. This is surreal. Aren't corporations persons since Citizens United?

!@#$%

[cstanleytech]

38. Thats why I said they should sue. It would have the effect of either overturning Citizens United or

cost the state of Florida an arm and a leg $$$$ wise not to mention maybe dealing a crippling blow to the Republicans there.

[ananda]

50. Exactly!

Great idea.

[alwaysinasnit]

31. Hmmm. Assuming DeSantis has presidential ambitions, he's going to need positive national

media exposure. Guess who owns the ABC network?

[SoCalDavidS]

46. Guess Who Owns The ABC Network?

Probably a bunch of repubs who only care if he is for lowering Taxes.

[alwaysinasnit]

48. Guess who?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Broadcasting_Company

The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is an American commercial broadcast television network. It is the flagship property of the Disney Entertainment division of The Walt Disney Company.

snip...

[SoCalDavidS]

52. Like I Said, A Big Corporation, Owned By Billionaire repubs, Who Only Care About Tax Cuts

[mountain grammy]

32. This is also about the control of media

From the article.. it's revenge

Monday’s bill signing event turned into a lengthy takedown of Disney that extended beyond its foray in Florida’s legislative activity. DeSantis featured speakers who assailed the company’s vaccine and mask policies, its treatment of firefighters and its more recent entertainment offerings.

It's republican justice for what they consider to be against their so called moral code. Florida is fucked up.

[IcyPeas]

33. Welcome to Dismaland (Banksy's Bemusement Park) (pictures)

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/08/dismaland/

[appleannie1]

35. I hope they pull up stakes and move to another state where they are appreciated.

Florida would lose millions of dollars in taxes, and it would hit small businesses that depend on tourists like a sledge hammer. I hope Universal and all the other theme parks follow suit.

[SoCalDavidS]

41. Bookmark This Post

I tell you what. I'll write you a check for $10,000 when that happens.

Newsflash. It will NEVER happen. You don't move the largest theme park in the world. Do you have any concept of what the cost would be to buy enough land and recreate the infrastructure for that park? Not to mention the cost of moving the attractions?

LOL!! Ridiculous.

[Dan]

44. I wonder, what is the cost to Disney

Of people deciding not to come to Florida/Disney because of destantis?

[SoCalDavidS]

45. How Many People Do You Figure That Is?

Disneyworld draws a lot of it's visitors from outside America. Most, if not all, of them, don't care who the Governor is.

And while there may be people in America who will boycott going to Florida, that # is very few. People are weak, and don't let politics stand in their way of having a good time at Disneyworld. I won't visit the state, but I assure you, I'm in the minority. Most people would hear my reason for not going to Florida, and laugh.

I've even gotten into arguments right here on DU about boycotting Florida. People who waste their time pointing out that many Democrats live there. Like I didn't know that.

Half of this country doesn't even bother to vote. Most people simply don't care about the fact DeSatan is a piece of shit, or even know who he is for that matter.

[Dan]

47. I honestly don't know how many...

But I do wonder if DeSatan runs for president - will his policies/views/opinions get more world wide attention, and thus impact Disney negatively.

Like you, our family which has visited Disney in the past - no longer will visit the state of Florida.

[SoCalDavidS]

49. That State Is Dead To Me

I honestly don't think it will ever turn itself around at this point. Same goes for Texas.

The 2 Red states I will find hard to give up are Louisiana & Ohio. The 1st, because Nawlins' is perhaps my favorite city in the country. And the other because of the R&R Hall Of Fame.

I really wish that my "boycotting" of red states would have an impact, but I know it won't. It will only impact my enjoyment of the limited time of life I have left. I'd very much like to visit places like Nashville & Memphis, or even Dollywood, but don't want to set foot in TN.

[appleannie1]

51. I quit going to Florida even before Deathsentence became Governor

Their Stand You Ground law was one reason but only one. I have a lot of other reasons as well. And I would take my great grandkids clear across the country to Disneyland before I would take them to Disneyworld.

[MayReasonRule]

36. Disney shares up 0.4% Monday, Cost to Florida taxpayers $1 to $2 Billion

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

In a move political observers viewed as retaliation for Disney's view on the “Don’t Say Gay” measure, Florida lawmakers month passed the bill, which DeSantis signed into law, that authorizes the governor to appoint five supervisors to oversee traditional municipal services, such a fire protection, public utilities, waste collection and road maintenance in the region where Disney World operates. The quasi-government entity also has the authority to raise revenue to pay outstanding debt and cover the cost of services.

$1 to $2 Billion via the pockets of tax-payers to "own-the-libs".

These are the so-called "fruits-of-the-spirit"...
Unhinged malevolent delusions imposed in-order-to inflict untold sufferings.

The Nat-C agenda is the same as it ever was:
-Intimidation
-Incarceration
-Extermination

The beatings will continue till morale improves.

May reason rule where delusion dwells.




VOTE

[Zeitghost]

62. The entity can only tax property owners in the district

Which is Disney.

[MayReasonRule]

68. Thank you! Indeed your are correct... I'd missed that he'd altered the original bill.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

53. DeathSantis' first bill would have had Florida taxpayers pick up $2 billion in debt

This bill will not affect operations at Walt Disney World

Link to tweet

[twodogsbarking]

54. GAY

There, I said it, or rather typed it while saying it.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

55. Just have your legislature declare you King of Florida, DeSadist.

Since that what he wants to do, why not cut out the middle men (legislature and courts) and get right to the coronation?

[News Junkie]

56. Does this stop Disney from supporting progressive issues?

If so, how?

[FBaggins]

69. Not directly... but "it depends"

The change has no immediate impact. The potential pain is all in how the new board’s decisions are different compared to what the Disney-controlled board would have decided.

To the extent that Disney worries about those potential changes… they may choose to tone down advocacy. It appears that they have already begun to do that, but it remains to be seen how much it will change.

[DownriverDem]

57. Too bad

Disney doesn't just up and leave Florida.