Title: Disney Fights Back Against Florida Oversight Board in Feud with Governor DeSantis
Subtitle: Entertainment giant seeks dismissal of lawsuit in pursuit of its case against Governor Ron DeSantis
by Tom Hals
WILMINGTON, Delaware, July 14 (Reuters) – Walt Disney Co will ask a Florida judge on Friday to dismiss a lawsuit by a state oversight board as part of the entertainment giant’s effort to pursue its case against Governor Ron DeSantis, the latest in a year-long feud between the two.
The lawsuit, filed in May by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which controls development around Disney’s theme parks, aims to void “backroom deals” favorable to the company that the district alleges were made with a prior board in violation of state law.
In response, Disney wants Judge Margaret Schreiber in Orlando to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the agreements with the prior board were nullified by the state. Such a ruling would allow Disney to focus on its federal case, which claims DeSantis violated the company’s constitutional right to free speech.
The skirmish between Disney and DeSantis began last year after the entertainment giant criticized a Florida law banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. DeSantis, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, has repeatedly attacked “woke Disney” in public remarks.
DeSantis rallied lawmakers to pass bills that reconstituted the oversight district, formerly known as Reedy Creek Improvement District, and transferred power over the board from Disney to the governor. The lawmakers also retroactively invalidated agreements that Disney had reached with the prior board on the eve of it being brought under DeSantis’s control.
The oversight district argues that Disney’s federal case will be significantly undermined if the judge determines that the agreements with the prior board are invalid. This would mean that Disney will no longer have contracts that were allegedly unconstitutionally violated, thereby rendering most of Disney’s claims in the federal case obsolete.
While Disney continues its legal battle, DeSantis remains dismissive of the company’s lawsuit, stating that Disney does not have the right to operate without proper district government oversight or receive special privileges.
As Disney and DeSantis square off in court, the entertainment giant is seeking a federal court order to prevent the state from enforcing laws directed at the company.
Tom Hals, an award-winning reporter with extensive experience covering legal issues and high-stakes court battles, is closely following this ongoing feud between Disney and Governor DeSantis.
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