Florida governor adds weight to Republican push to remove Disney legal 'privileges

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

In 1967, Florida lawmakers authorized the creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, granting the Walt Disney Co. extraordinary powers of self-government, such as the ability to levy taxes and provide emergency services on land in central Florida that is home to the company's sprawling theme park resort.

But those privileges could be stripped away thanks to a deepening rift between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over legislation critics have nicknamed the "Don't Say Gay" bill.

Some Republican state lawmakers are considering repealing the 1967 state law that established the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

And now DeSantis is lending his support to that effort, saying at a West Palm Beach press conference Thursday that the Burbank entertainment giant should not have any special privileges in the sunshine state.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/florida-governor-adds-weight-republican-200449642.html

Brilliant!!!

[mitch96]

1. And how is it gonna look and feel when The Mouse decides to move???

Then comes the gaslighting.. "oh we did not mean it" "Don't be so sensitive" "It was only a joke lighten up" crap..
When it comes to loosing Disney revenue and jobs the hearts and minds will change.
Follow the money, Look to what they do not just what they say... YMMV

m

[Marius25]

12. I think Disney should move, but with how much

they have invested in the state, I doubt that's feasible. Think of how big the parks are and how much it would cost to rebuild somewhere sane.

[BlueIdaho]

16. Welcome to Disney Estates...

Disney should pull up stakes, flatten the grounds, put in some roads and start selling real estate. Then Disney Homes could build all the homes, and Disney Mortgage could sell them to a few hundred thousand new residents of Orlando who would have to provide them with fire, police, schools, water, sewer, and garbage. Of course Disney Gas and Disney Foods would make sure they keep screwing the locals for decades to come.

With that settled, Disney could return to California and make sure their first property is still the happiest place on earth for any and all who wants to go there.

[Marius25]

17. I would like to see Disney move to California, I just don't see it happening

Hopefully Gavin Newsom tries to entice them with tax breaks.

[BlueIdaho]

19. Well...

Disney is in California. In fact Disney started in California. I’m sure they won’t leave Florida - but it’s a nice thought.

[mitch96]

20. Two Disney's in California? I would think the mouse would move to another warm climate.nt

[Baitball Blogger]

28. What a disaster that would be.

There is a second industry cropped up to support Disney's needs. Just think about the schools and classes that specialize in art and video design.

De Santis will be responsible for a brain drain. We'll turn into Alabama. Which still might not make the Republicans happy because among all those retirees who come to Florida, you'll find intelligent, woke Democrats.

[The Blue Flower]

2. The RDIC was an offshoot of Disney buying up legislators in the 60s

I was a high school student in Orlando in the 60s, when Disney was buying small parcels of land anonymously. At the time, they were also paying off law makers to get special privileges. The RDIC made the theme park a Vatican-like entity in the middle of the state, where environmental and other laws didn't apply. It never got the attention it should have had among the voters. At least now we're finally getting to hear about it. So Repub of the gov to use it as leverage--or try to.

[Phoenix61]

6. There was no way the state had the resources at that time

to build the infrastructure needed to make Disney a reality. It is quite literally a small city. If the state of Florida follows through on this threat are they even able to assume responsibility for everything? Could you share your source for the payoffs to politicians please.

[HAB911]

21. That is why I'm conflicted

Loving the sight of Disney getting hammered, but then glad to see them standing up to fascism, even if late

[RKP5637]

3. This ass is an obnoxious SOB!!! Apparently what the GOP loves. Obnoxious and gross bullies

with stupid ideas and being the most injurious to people as possible. This guy is a walking disaster.

[PortTack]

4. Little ronnie just isn't very bright! He has No idea how much money Disney might be willing to

Spend.

Of course, the best way to oppose this horrible legislation and the other shit laws he has passed is to to make sure he isn’t re-elected

[RKP5637]

5. I sure hope they work to push this obnoxious asshole out of office!!!! n/t

[OnDoutside]

10. The Democratic candidates should be all over this, taking Disney's side. This is a slamdunk.

[mcar]

14. They are.

[mitch96]

22. "make sure he isn't re-elected" Now THAT is a plan and probably less expensive than moving.

If you are gonna throw money at the problem this is probably the easiest and least expensive way to go... vote da bum out...
m

[Chainfire]

7. There are around 1800 "special taxing districts in Florida"

DeSantis' tantrum is going to cast a wide web.

https://floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/special-districts/special-district-accountability-program/florida-special-district-handbook-online/introduction-to-special-districts

[Chainfire]

8. DeSantis want to bring government by temper tantrum to your White House.

If he can get Trump out of his way, he may well make it.

[mitch96]

23. bite your tongue....😉...nt

[OrlandoDem2]

9. The Mouse helped feed this beast with massive political contributions to the GOP over the past

20 years.

Don’t think for a second that Disney is a sympathetic victim here. They didn’t speak out against the Don’t Say Gay bill until too late when their hypocrisy was exposed.

And DeSantis is guilty of giving special carve outs to Disney as recently as last year.

They are just eating themselves up.

[Srkdqltr]

11. Wouldn't it be interesting if Disney shut down in Florida? Just paid off all the workers, closed

The gates and quit operating. Won't happen but interesting to think about.
Yes I know this isn't possible.

[mitch96]

24. The shock wave of ancillary businesses closing would kill The central Fla/Orlando area..

Think of Detroit when the automakers left town..
m

[Srkdqltr]

26. Of course. I live there. Detroit area.

I doubt Disney would do that. But, what a thought.

[rockfordfile]

13. FL will lose a lot of jobs because of pos DeSantis.

[spanone]

15. Ron DeNazi

Take it somewhere else, Disney.

[kelly1mm]

18. Good. Disney or any other corporation does not deserve special privileges. nt

[mitch96]

25. "does not deserve special privileges"..Thats the rub. Corporations and the 1% think they

DO DESERVE special privileges... After all they are the smartest bunch in the room, right?
m

[MissMillie]

27. Long time ago, Maybe Reagan administration (not sure about that)

Some cabinet member, posing with a "shot foot" (James Watt?)


How does Ron DeathSentence protect the interests of the State of Florida by attacking Disney (one of the biggest draws in one of FL's biggest industries--tourism)?

[haele]

29. Well, Disney should just start making plans for climate change results early.

In 30 years, the area will be flooding, with the lower lying areas underwater. I went to boot camp in Orlando, there's not a lot of elevation, around 80 ft above sea level at most. Sea level rise will affect the inland flooding also, it won't be a "one foot at the coast will affect one foot inland" because Florida sits on limestone and from my Geology 210 course, I learned that sea level pressure can affect local aquifer strata, increasing possibility of sinkholes and degradation of local bedrock depending on the type of stone.

30 - 50 years, Orlando will be like Venice. If they're lucky. The Mouse will have to spend billions on infrastructure to meet Climate change if they want to stay in business, so why not just relocate to, say, Huntsville?

DeSantis is an idiot. Who is going to pay for all the local services Disney spends money on to provide to the area if he pulls their charter? The County or State is suddenly going to have to pick up the tab.

Haele