Florida Republicans Prepare To Give Control Of Disney To Ron DeSantis - Ring of Fire

[TexasTowelie]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a special session of the state legislature this week to finalize his assault on the Disney Corporation and the Reddy Creek Charter that they've been operating under for decades. While DeSantis and the Republican-controlled legislature dissolved the district last year (which has not yet gone into effect), they changed course this week and proposed new legislation that would put "control" of the district directly in DeSantis' hands. Ring of Fire's Farron Cousins explains what's happening.

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*This transcript was generated by a third-party transcription software company, so please excuse any typos.

The Republican controlled Florida state legislature held a special session this week to figure out just what the heck to do with that special little tax district they created decades ago for the Disney Corporation to build their Disney theme parks, uh, just outside of Orlando, Florida. And as we all know, last summer, they had dissolved the Ready Creek Charter, which is what created the Special District. But they've come up with new legislation now cuz the district has not yet been dissolved. That's something that takes a little bit of time. But now they've decided, you know what, Disney, we're gonna let that district stand. We're gonna rename it, it's gonna be called.

It's gonna be called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, and it's gonna be run by a five member panel. Oh, and by the way, the new legislation says that all five of those members of that panel, they're not gonna be decided by the landowners in that area, which, you know, most of it is Disney. Instead, they're gonna be chosen by the governor of the state of Florida and they can serve, you know, many, many years on this board. And oh, by the way, case you forgot the governor happens to be Ron DeSantis. So what happened was that instead of returning control of this district over to the people in the area, you know, the citizens, the ones who pay their taxes and do all that, like, this is our area. No, they're not gonna do that anymore because Ron DeSantis is a power hungry megalomaniac.

And so now they're literally giving him complete control over the district by allowing him to pick the five people that are going to run it. This is sick. I'm not saying Disney should be getting these special handouts. I'm not even saying Disney should control the district. They shouldn't, but Ron DeSantis sure shouldn't be the one controlling that district. Like I'd rather see Disney do it. I'd rather see Goofy and Pluto running the district than Ron DeSantis. They would make much better decisions, I guarantee you. But this is Ron DeSantis new power grab and it's power that again, a year ago, they dangled in front of the people in that district. You get control again and yeah, we're gonna screw you over on the tax issue. Unfortunately, it's just what happens. But you at least get to control your district. You get to vote for your leaders. Nope, not under this new legislation that is most likely going to pass because it's legislation by Republicans. For Republicans that gets voted on by Republicans to eventually be signed by a Republican. It's going to pass. Ron DeSantis is now going to have complete control over Disney World and he won't stop there. We've already seen him this week strip the liquor license of a, uh,

Establishment that held a Christmas drag show. So he is, uh, overstepping his bounds. The likelihood that this district, uh, the way the Republicans have it in this legislation, legal experts have already picked it apart back and forth. So it's probably not gonna stand even if they pass it, which is just gonna prolong the turmoil here. But that's all because again, DeSantis is overstepping his bounds because the only thing he wants is more power.

[Lovie777]

1. I don't think so...............

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. Damn, I hope this fucks him royally.

[jimfields33]

14. Shouldn't all businesses be treated the same?

I was shocked they had that great deal to begin with.

[Phoenix61]

15. What special tax deal?

Disney built that park on a swamp. They built all the infrastructure they needed. They built their own sewage treatment facility, communications network, roads, etc. They issued bonds to offset the costs of all those improvements. DeSatan apparently read the original agreement where it clearly states if the state dissolves Reedy Creek it has to pay off the bonds. The Reedy Creek district also solved the problem of the Disney property being split between two counties. Each with their own codes and building departments etc.
Meanwhile, the state put in over a million dollars to expand a road going to a different theme park.

[RKP5637]

3. DeSatan is honing his fascist dictator skills on Disney. This will be the end of Disney

in Florida. I believe Colorado gave Disney an invite to move there awhile back. But my take is far too cold. Also, footing Disney's bills will be interesting when some residents of Florida get a major tax increase. Fuck DeSatan.

[bahboo]

4. beware of messing with the Mouse asshole...

[Deuxcents]

5. Florida is so dependent on tourism n he's attacking the biggest

Known attractions this state has n has had for decades. Our tax base will suffer n his “reinventing the wheel” for those two counties are gonna cost us plenty. I don’t even want to think of the bankruptcy possibilities. These legislators can’t tell him no let alone run a state minus Disney

[RKP5637]

7. I really think the asshole runs the risk of Disney just pulling out of Florida. FFS, DeSantis will

try to make it a republican theme Park. This ass DeSantis is a fascist dictator, no question.

[The Blue Flower]

6. Growing up in Orlando before Disney

That's the name of a fb group I belong to. Lots of nostalgia for Orlando as we remember it growing up. Someone recently said a truism: no one goes to Orlando for Orlando. It's all about the mouse.

[samsingh]

8. disney should leave Florida

[FloridaBlues]

9. Even if this is illegal it won't matter. Florida won't know

How to handle all the extra money and manpower will be needed to keep Disney as a smooth running machine for the state of Florida.
The money alone of Taking care of the grounds will be a drain. Disney will out live Desantis by a long shot.

[BradBo]

10. Disney Florida better get ready to move out.

I’m sure one of the Carolina’s would be more then happy to have them move their park.

[TheRealNorth]

11. The residents should, in the spirit of 1776.....

Grab their arms, March to Tallahasse, and demand (peacefully, of course) "No taxation without representation". Otherwise, DeathSatan will try to do this to other Democratic areas where they don't bend the knee to him.

[Warpy]

12. What they're going to give is control of the infrastructure like roads and bridges

for which Disney will pay increased taxes. Were it not such a naked power brag by DeSatan, it might be a good move for Disney to get out from under maintaining all the roads in the area.

However, Disney World is nearing the 50 year mark and I remember that the last time I was there, maybe 20 years ago, the older parts of the park were starting to show some age. Lackluster infrastructure maintenance by the state of much of the surrounding infrastructure might just be the thing that causes the company to start scouting new locations in states that aren't completely nuts, preferably out of the sights of hurricanes, and not sinking.

[PlutosHeart]

13. If there are much needed repairs, it might be

worth it to negotiate a deal and move the best parts out of Florida thereby dismantling this problem.

Seems to me that California, with film and other complimentary industries already there might do the job very well.