Disney has escalated the fight being waged by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Cinderella Castle
After Disney spoke out against the Parental Rights in Education law (often criticized as the “Don’t Say Gay” law), DeSantis and the Florida legislature removed the Disney-friendly Reedy Creek Improvement District Board, replacing the members with some hand-picked by the governor himself. Disney has decided to fight back by suing DeSantis and the new Board, and now, the governor’s office has responded.
Disney has officially sued Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (as well as members of the District’s new board) alleging that the Governor has waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against Disney.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court and alleges that DeSantis has orchestrated a campaign to punish Disney for its political views, which has threatened Disney’s business.
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and alleges, “A targeted campaign of government retaliation—orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech—now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”
DeSantis signing the new bill
Within the full complaint, Disney has alleged:
- For more than half a century, Disney has made an immeasurable impact on Florida and its economy, establishing Central Florida as a top global tourist destination
- Disney is one of Central Florida’s largest taxpayers
- Disney is also one of the largest employers in the State
Disney World
Disney argues that DeSantis “paid no mind to the governing structure that facilitated Reedy Creek’s successful development until one year ago, when the Governor decided to target Disney.” In Disney’s view, “There is no room for disagreement about what happened here: Disney expressed its opinion on state legislation and was then punished by the State for doing so.”
EPCOT at Disney World
DeSantis said that Disney’s statement on the Don’t Say Gay law had “crossed a line.” Following that, Disney argues, he has employed “the machinery of the State in a coordinated campaign to damage Disney’s ability to do business in Florida.”
And now, the governor’s office has released a statement.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline
According to Variety, a spokesperson for DeSantis said that Disney seeks to “undermine the will of the Florida voters.”
“We are unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses in the state,” said Taryn Fenske, spokesperson. “This lawsuit is yet another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.”
Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream
Disney said the “latest strike” in DeSantis’ campaign has been the action taken by the board of supervisors of the District on April 26th, 2023 which invalidated some of Disney’s “publically noticed and duly agreed development contracts” that it had signed with the previous board.
Reedy Creek
Because of this, Disney is asking that the court:
- declare the legislative declaration just approved by the new Reedy Creek board as unlawful
- declare that the contracts Disney signed with the old board are still in effect, and
- declare that the laws impacting Reedy Creek (specifically, the first one that would have dissolved the district, and the second one that made substantial changes to the District) be declared unlawful.
Reedy Creek
We’ll continue to keep you updated, as this is a developing story. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest news.
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“undermine the will of Florida voters”…Wait a minute son. No body voted on anything regarding this.
I always wondered about temperature in Florida, guess it’s from all the hot air.
“This lawsuit is yet another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters.”
The will of the voters? The people didn’t vote on any of these matters, nor were any public opinion or comments considered before the changes were made. So how is this the will of the voters?
Unaware of that right Ron? Go back and look at the original binding contracts signed by the State of Florida, which, by the way, has brought countless billions of tourism, employment, and tax dollars to the state. Think a corporation will ever trust you?
Well, the governor is right to a point. There is no constitutional right for a business to run it’s own government.
HOWEVER!!! An agreement was made with the State of Florida for Disney to do so. Would-be Dictator DeSantis does not have the legal authority to unilaterally break that agreement. And definitely not to void contracts signed under the old agreement.
I’m sure, that if DeSantis really CARED about the legal status of Reedy Creek, then Disney would have been willing to re-negotiate the old agreement. But that’s not why he tried to punish The Mouse.
The will of the voters???? Who voted for this?
No special election was issued for his campaign against Disney nor to any of the attacks he’s waged on DEI, LGBTQIA+, drag queens, etc.
He thinks his unlawful gerrymandered districts create “the will of the voters,” but he is sorely mistaken.
He and his cohorts will see & feel the results of their unilateral control over the voters come ’24.