Opinion: Disney should leave Florida. It's time for DeSanty World. - Milbank

[lapucelle]

9. What DeSantis is doing will simutaneously hurt both Disney and Florida taxpayers.

Gov. Ron DeSantis clears a way to revoke Disney’s special district in Florida.

The Florida Senate approved a move to end Disney World’s self-governing privileges starting next year.

Disney’s special zone is called the Reedy Creek Improvement District and gives the company considerable control over the planning and permitting process for construction on its 25,000-acre property, including road building. Reedy Creek also levies taxes on Disney to pay for the resort’s own fire and medical response battalions, among other services. Disney World even generates some of its own electricity through Reedy Creek.

The elimination of Reedy Creek would require the two counties that contain Disney World to step in and provide the services, which would probably lead to increased taxes for residents, according to James C. Clark, a professor at the University of Central Florida. Disney could apply to re-establish the district if it is eliminated.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/19/business/desantis-disney-world-district.html

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