Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) to tout the district’s accomplishments in the midst of multiple lawsuits with Disney.
Disney vs. DeSantis
The CFTOD lawsuit followed Disney’s suit against the Board and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The Board officially filed its own suit in May 2023 and Disney filed a countersuit in August. It was later revealed that the DeSantis-appointed district had not searched for documents requested in the lawsuit, and the governor held a press conference in an attempt to save face.
In a press conference hosted by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District on February 22nd, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis accused the former Disney-controlled Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) of having “unbelievable and unprecedented” power.
Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream
When asked about the special district, DeSantis commented that it wasn’t a question of a special district but of the RCID in particular, as it was “given authority that would be unconstitutional” under Florida’s current constitution.
He continued, saying that the reason this happened was because the Florida legislature gave Reedy Creek too much authority.
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
DeSantis commented that Disney was “very devious” with how they set the district up and would “control the people who lived there at their courtesy.” Ultimately, DeSantis claimed he was there to “highlight an example of good government and positive government reform,” noting that it had been almost a year since legislation was signed “to bring an end to an anomaly of local government.”
Cinderella Castle
This local government, DeSantis said, was created to help facilitate the development of both a theme park and a community — a community that was never developed, according to him.
Disney was granted a special district that was part of a plan including building a residential community, and that residential community was supposed to run, maintain, and vote for local municipalities through elected officials like a mayor or city commissioner.
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
But, this didn’t happen, and Disney maintained control of the district in a way that wasn’t originally intended when it was first established. It’s this, DeSantis said, that makes the former Reedy Creek district “unconstitutional.”
Ultimately, we’ll still have to wait and see how this will all play out for Disney and DeSantis, as things are still tied up in the courts.
EPCOT
Stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates on the DeSantis battle and more Disney news.
DeSantis-appointed District Admits It Has Not Searched for Requested Documents in Disney Lawsuit
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Funny how this nearly 60 year arrangement never bothered him during his first 4 years as governor. And apparently none of the other 100+ special districts in FL seem to bother him now.
And another GOP hypocrite shows us that ego comes before the good of the people. This move contributed to the pathetic showing in the aborted Presidential run.
Ultimately, DeSantis claimed he was there to “highlight an example of good government and positive government reform,”
And when will we see that example, Governor DeSantis?
The mere fact that you are now having to save face demonstrates that you erred and misjudged what would actually happen.
As a conservative Republican, I am appalled and saddened by DeSantis’ misuse of office, as well as all the sycophantic legislators that helped him in passing the legislation. DeSantis, you should have just let the words go, it’s part of the office; people are going to disagree with you. But if your ego is too great that you cannot take any criticism, you’ve forgotten basic tenants in politics; you represent everyone as the governor, not just the people who voted for you and once you do something like this, you’ve opened it up for the other side to use it when they are in power.
Lastly, please take note; we vote for people to represent us in government matters, not think for us. We are very capable (well the majority of us can) of doing it on our own.