Ron DeSantis vs. Disney: The Florida Feud Explained
isney has announced it has scrapped plans to invest nearly £806m to build a new corporate campus in Florida due to the company’s feud with Governor DeSantis.
The plan called for 2,000 employees to relocate to the Disney-owned complex on Lake Nona in Orlando.
According to the BBC Anyone who has seen an internal email sent to Disney employees explains that the decision was the result of “significant changes” that have taken place since their plans were first announced two years ago and “new leadership” within Disney.
In response, Mr. DeSantis’ office said, “Disney announced the possibility of a campus at Lake Nona almost two years ago. The project never came to fruition and the state was unsure if it would come to fruition.
“Given the company’s financial difficulties, declining market capitalization and declining share price, it is not surprising that they are restructuring their operations and canceling unsuccessful ventures.”
But why are Disney and DeSantis fighting and what were the consequences of the feud? Here’s everything we know.
Why are Disney and DeSantis at war?
The feud began in February 2022 with a dispute over an LGBT law that banned talks about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools through third grade across Florida.
Under the bill, commonly referred to as the Don’t Say Gay Act, Disney announced that it would suspend its political donations to the state and instead support organizations that violate the law.
Ron DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” Law: Florida Extends Instruction Ban to All Grade Levels
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was angered by Disney’s move, saying, “Disney and other bright-eyed corporations will no longer get away with peddling their uncontrolled print campaigns.” If we’re going to hold the Democrat machine and their business lapdogs accountable , we have to stick together now.”
The fact that Disney is one of Florida’s largest private employers meant Disney’s stance put real pressure on local government.
In return, the Florida government announced in April 2022 that it would strip Disney of its special tax status in the state, which is backed by the Reedy Creek Improvement District, an organization founded by Walt Disney himself in 1967 that gave Disney the right to manage its own infrastructure, Civil engineering, utilities and fire station.
DeSantis also said he would rename the area the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which would be administered by a board of directors. And he added he’s considering building a new state prison near the Disney World complex.
But just before DeSantis came to power, the previous Disney-allied board had signed a long-term development agreement that limited government control of the company and its district. The 30-year development deal meant Disney can construct densely populated projects and buildings of any height and sell development rights without requiring anyone else’s consent.
The royal clause of the 1692 agreement in Britain said that “the declaration shall remain in force until 21 years after the death of the last surviving descendant of King Charles III, King of England, who was alive at the time of this declaration.” “.
This means the government can only control the roads and basic infrastructure in the Disney District.
Recently, in April 2023, Governor DeSantis passed a new bill that would require the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to inspect rides and monorails at Walt Disney World. And Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and its board of supervisors on April 26, accusing them of using their political power in retaliation.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/ron-desantis-disney-florida-lgbt-theme-park-b1082343.html Ron DeSantis vs. Disney: The Florida Feud Explained
