A spokeswoman for Gov. Ron DeSantis called “fake news” on reports that Republican lawmakers are working on legislation to scale back a law rushed through earlier this year stripping Walt Disney of its unique self-governing power in Central Florida.
“Fake news. @GovRonDeSantis doesn’t make ‘u-turns,'” DeSantis’ spokeswoman Taryn Fenske tweeted on Friday. Fenske’s post came in response to a tweet by former state Rep. Anthony Sabatini calling it “sad to see weak-kneed GOP politicians get overpowered on this.” During a special session initially called to pass a redistricting plan, DeSantis directed lawmakers to add two punitive Disney-related measures after the entertainment company opposed a controversial new law, dubbed by opponents as the “don’t say gay” bill, that restricts education about gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools.
Lawmakers approved a plan to eliminate the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was created in 1967 and encompasses 38.5 miles in Osceola and Orange counties, including the “the most magical place on earth.” The district has authority over such issues as land use and traditional functions of government including fire protection and wastewater services. The plan, signed by DeSantis in April, would dissolve the Reedy Creek district and five other districts across the state on June 1, 2023, though it would allow the Legislature to re-establish the districts before then.
Financial Times and Reuters on Friday reported that changes in Disney leadership prompted Republican lawmakers in Florida to consider modifying the law. Fenske didn’t immediately respond when asked if the governor would veto any changes to the law. Her tweet echoed comments DeSantis made in an appearance on FOX News Tuesday.
Disney “brought this upon themselves. … All we did was stand up for what was right,” DeSantis said. “And yes, they’re a big, powerful company, but you know what? We stand up for our folks and I don’t care what a Burbank-based California company says about our laws.” DeSantis’ remarks came hours after Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger reportedly told employees he was “sorry to see us dragged into that battle.”
–News Service of Florida
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Bartholomew says
“Disney “brought this upon themselves. … ”
and so they must be punished for disagreeing with DeSantis??????? Since when is it okay for the government to punish companies that disagreed with the controlling party’s rhetoric? As a Republican, it is well past time to make sure we are holding our political party accountable for these boneheads we keep putting into office. We need quality decision-makers, not punishers, and dictators.
RJS508 says
Have you ever looked into how Disney runs their Government? Only property owners are allowed to vote and their votes count based on acres owned, so Disney makes all real decisions for themselves. Also need to be a property owner to run for office.
CED says
stand firm DeSantis. Thank you
Laurel says
Disney world has brought in billions of dollars to Florida, and has been here for 55 years so to call it a “California company” is not very clever. Disney brought back Bob Iger, so we’ll see how firm DeSantis will stand! Iger will spank him, and give him a humble back door.
Joe D says
Just wait until the affected Orange County, and other jurisdiction taxpayers (Republican, Democratic, and Independent alike) look at the (previously) Disney paid multi-millions , in taxes for emergency/fire and other services which will leave a multi million dollar gap in their County budgets! Governor Ron DeSantis’ actions didn’t REALLY harm Disney…it actually SAVES Disney quite a bit of money, since now local taxpayers will have to foot the bills for those services previously paid by Disney. And he made sure it didn’t take effect until AFTER the elections (surprise)! Too late for disgruntled voters to demonstrate their displeasure with the decision at the ballot box
Holding companies “hostage “ for their views on public policy, will only drive companies out of Florida. How long can you lose tourist dollars and corporate tax payers, before that wonderful “No state income taxes,” status Florida benefits from has to go out the window, or watch your property taxes ( and rental costs) skyrocket more than they have in the last 3 years.
Your State Government is playing politics with YOUR money!!
Laurel says
Disney “brought this upon themselves. … All we did was stand up for what was right,” DeSantis said.
We’ve been happy with Disney World for 55 years, until DeSantis, and his ilk, made up this nonsense for personal, political goals. Come on, people, aren’t you tired of these over inflated egos overstepping their authorities in personal retaliation?
Bartholomew says
Didn’t Chris Christie do something like this with a bridge and someone who would not endorse him? I could be wrong.
Deborah Coffey says
“Disney “brought this upon themselves. … All we did was stand up for what was right,” DeSantis said. “And yes, they’re a big, powerful company, but you know what? We stand up for our folks and I don’t care what a Burbank-based California company says about our laws.””
And this, my friends, is exactly WHY Ron DeSantis will NEVER be President of the United States.
Jim says
The issue here is that the government of Florida passed a law (in a week) impacting a business because the CEO made a weak statement long after it mattered about a law that affects gay people. The clear message from the government is that you DO NOT MESS with them! It had nothing to do with right and wrong regarding Reedy Creek. It was an opportunity for DeSantis to pick another fight over culture issues to deflect from actually governing the state. And it worked because the right wing thinks this is “good government”. If liberals passed a law to impact business because of one comment made then there would be a chorus of righteous indignation and I would agree. What a sad commentary on our government and those that support this kind of activity.
Bartholomew says
I agree with your statement and that is what I was trying to say, but I guess I confused someone.
Aj says
If he run for President in 2024, I wonder how this will hurt or help him?
Joseph Barand says
Why hasn’t he taken action against The Villages, run in a similar manner but it has well,over 75,000 Republican voters many infected with sexual transmitted diseases which they got from swinging life styles while waving their Comic Book Bibles.