People go to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Friday, April 22, 2022.
Ted Shaffrey/AP
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Ted Shaffrey/AP
People go to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Friday, April 22, 2022.
Ted Shaffrey/AP
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis would take control over the board of a particular governing district Walt Disney World operates in Florida below a invoice launched Monday, because the Republican governor punishes the corporate over its opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.
Republican leaders within the statehouse, in coordination with DeSantis, have begun a particular legislative session to restructure the Reedy Creek Improvement District, because the Disney authorities is recognized.
The proposal would largely depart the district and its talents intact however change its title to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and require the governor to appoint a five-member oversight board. Members beforehand had been named by entities managed by Disney.
Lawmakers are additionally contemplating a proposal to create a state division centered on migrant transportation, after the governor flew a bunch of South American migrants from Texas to Massachusetts final yr in protest of federal border coverage.
The session continues a spotlight by DeSantis concentrate on social points together with sexual orientation, gender and immigration because the Republican governor wades into political divides on his path to a possible 2024 presidential run.
The assembly is the newest growth in a high-profile feud between DeSantis and Disney over the corporate’s criticism of a legislation dubbed by critics as “Don’t Say Gay,” which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identification in kindergarten by third grade and classes deemed not age-appropriate.
The governor, in going after Disney, displayed a willingness to penalize one of many state’s largest employers and political donors, reinforcing the combative management fashion that has propelled him to nationwide political stardom and appeals to conservative main voters.
A spokeswoman for Reedy Creek didn’t instantly return an emailed request for remark.
In addition to Disney, DeSantis is utilizing the particular session to advance his nationwide agenda on immigration and election fraud.
Lawmakers are expected to create the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program within the governor’s administration to transport migrants throughout the nation if they’ve been processed by the federal authorities.
The laws comes after DeSantis final yr used a part of a $12 million fund, paid for by taxpayers, to fly about 50 South American migrants from Texas to the Massachusetts resort island of Martha’s Vineyard, drawing widespread condemnation.
The flight additionally led to authorized questions as a result of the governor’s workplace paid for the journey utilizing cash meant to transport migrants out of Florida, not Texas or another state. The invoice lawmakers will contemplate specifies that future flights might transfer migrants from anyplace within the U.S.
Another proposal expected to go throughout the session would improve the power of the statewide prosecutor to carry election crime fees, a transfer meant to strengthen the facility of the governor’s new election police power.
DeSantis final yr pushed lawmakers to create a legislation enforcement unit centered on election crimes, addressing one other concern of conservative voters after the 2020 election. But within the months since, a few of the unit’s fees have been dismissed by judges due to jurisdiction points.
The session is expected to ship DeSantis a political victory in his combat towards Disney, a squabble that started final yr when the leisure large publicly opposed the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. The firm stated it could pause political donations within the state and help organizations working to oppose the legislation.
DeSantis and different Republicans moved shortly to criticize Disney, calling it a purveyor of “woke” ideologies which might be inappropriate for youngsters.
At DeSantis’ request, the GOP-dominated statehouse in April accepted laws to remove Disney’s Reedy Creek authorities by June 2023, starting a intently watched course of that might decide the construction of presidency that controls the corporate’s sprawling property.
The creation of the Reedy Creek district was instrumental in Disney’s choice to construct close to Orlando within the Nineteen Sixties, when firm leaders informed the state they deliberate to construct a futuristic metropolis — the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, often known as Epcot.
The proposed metropolis was to embrace a speedy transit system and concrete planning improvements, so Disney wanted autonomy within the district for constructing and deciding how to use the land, they stated. The futuristic metropolis by no means materialized, and as a substitute Epcot morphed right into a second theme park that opened in 1982.
Having a separate authorities permits the Disney authorities to challenge bonds and supply zoning, hearth safety, utilities and infrastructure providers on its land. Republican critics of the district argue it provides Disney a business benefit unavailable to others.
The particular session may also regulate language in present legal guidelines addressing endorsement offers for school athletes.
Florida was one of many first states to go a legislation permitting school athletes to revenue off their title, picture or likeness, but it surely would not enable folks affiliated with universities to assist safe endorsement offers. The proposal would carry that provision to make Florida extra aggressive with different states that do not have the restriction.
Lawmakers may also contemplate a invoice to present extra aid cash for Hurricane Ian and Nicole restoration efforts.