De Santis v. Disney: The Senate approves the repeal of the park’s autonomy
For the past 55 years, Disney has had complete independence in its territory, whether responsibility to the police or the imposition of a mask duty. But the culture war is intensifying, and the governor is taking direct action against society
The Republican-controlled Senate of Florida on Wednesday approved a bill that would abolish the special tax district that the Walt Disney Company has, allowing it to effectively operate as an autonomy outside the realm of local government.
The proposal is now on the House table, which is also expected to vote in favor – after Gov. Ron de Santis announced Tuesday that lawmakers “will consider stopping all special districts declared before 1968 – and that includes the Riddy Creek Improvement District.”
As mentioned, the special tax district allows Disney extensive autonomy, including on the local police and fire department on the land where the Orlando theme park is located. Thanks to this privilege, the company is saved tens of millions of dollars a year in exemptions from regulations, taxes and fees.
Reedy Creek Improvement District was created in 1967 and is in fact the order that allows Disney to control at will the territory in which it sits. The agreement then passed in an effort to “support and manage” various aspects of “economic development and tourism within the county boundaries.” Disney was responsible for overseeing environmental protection and public services, as well as operating and maintaining roads and public bridges.
Now, the bill passed in Senate 23-16, will repeal the arrangement in June 2023, and it will affect about six counties in the state.However, Ridi Rick is the only one linked to a high-profile company.
The legislation is the latest move amid ongoing clashes between Governor de Santis and Disney, largely over a recent law called ‘Parental Rights in Education’, but many Democrats and Liberals call it ‘Do not say gay’. The law, in effect, prohibits teachers from discussing with kindergarten- to third-grade students about gender identity or sexual orientation.
Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online.
Late last month, Disney said in a statement that “the law should never have been passed. Our goal, as a society, is for this law to be repealed, and we remain committed to supporting state national organizations working to achieve this.”
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