ORLANDO, FL (WRMT) – Disney’s chief executive, Bob Iger, has pushed back against the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, saying his actions are “anti-business and anti-Florida” in the latest round of a bitter public battle between the Sunshine state’s most powerful corporation and its top elected official.
The feud between Disney and the Florida governor has been escalating with Gov. Ron DeSantis saying he plans to work with the Legislature to void the Reedy Creek deal with Disney that stripped the new board of its power and consider hotel taxes and tolls at Disney World.
“Come hell or high water, we’re going to make sure that the policy of Florida carries the day,” DeSantis said in a speech at Hillsdale College in Michigan on Thursday night, first reported by Politico. “And so they can keep trying to do things. But ultimately we’re going to win on every single issue involving Disney, I can tell you that.”
The Walt Disney Company, one of the largest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world, owns numerous properties including Disney World.
Bob Chapek was the former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, having assumed the role in February 2020 following the departure of Bob Iger. Chapek has been with Disney since 1993, and previously served as the chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, overseeing the company’s theme parks, resorts, and consumer products division.
In 2022, Iger was reinstated as the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company and Chapek was released from the company.
While Disney World is located in Florida, and therefore falls under the jurisdiction of Governor DeSantis. Disney has been a major economic and political player in Florida for decades, and the company has had a complex relationship with state and local governments over issues such as taxation, regulation, and economic development.
DeSantis’ threat is the latest in the back-and-forth battle between the state and the Walt Disney Co. that began when former CEO Bob Chapek criticized the so-called “don’t say gay” law last year that limits instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.
Florida HB-1557 is a bill that was proposed in the Florida House of Representatives during the 2021 legislative session. The bill, titled the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” aims to codify and strengthen the rights of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children.
The bill includes several provisions related to education, including a requirement that schools provide written notice to parents before teaching or promoting certain topics, such as sex education or LGBTQ+ issues. The bill also prohibits schools from promoting or normalizing certain behaviors or identities, including homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgenderism.
Critics of the bill argue that it could lead to discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ+ students and contribute to a culture of intolerance and prejudice. Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect the rights of parents and promote traditional family values.
Many organizations and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights argue that these types of laws and policies can harm LGBTQ+ students and contribute to a culture of discrimination and intolerance. They argue that inclusive and comprehensive sex education, including discussion of LGBTQ+ issues, is important for promoting healthy relationships and reducing the risks of STIs and unplanned pregnancies among all students.
“I don’t know what S.O.B. is gonna succeed me, but they ain’t going to have anything to do,” DeSantis added. “Because I’m taking all the meat off the bone.”
Disney’s sloppy and futile attempt to subvert the will of the Legislature and Floridians was uncovered by our state oversight board and their 11th hour agreements will be nullified by the Legislature.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 17, 2023
Disney’s corporate kingdom is over. pic.twitter.com/GomGyfEDLS
The Reedy Creek Improvement District is a special taxing district in Florida that was created in 1967 to oversee the development of the Walt Disney World Resort. The district is governed by a board of supervisors, which is responsible for overseeing the district’s budget, making policy decisions, and providing services to residents and businesses within the district.
The Reedy Creek board of supervisors is made up of five members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor of Florida. The Governor selects two members from a list of nominees submitted by the Orange County Commission, and three members from a list of nominees submitted by the Walt Disney Company.
The Reedy Creek board has the power to levy taxes and issue bonds to fund infrastructure and public services within the district, including roads, water and sewer systems, and emergency services. The board also has the authority to make zoning and land use decisions, and has been instrumental in shaping the development of the Walt Disney World Resort over the past several decades.
However, the board has been criticized by some for its close ties to the Walt Disney Company, with some arguing that the company has too much influence over decisions made by the board. Critics have also raised concerns about transparency and accountability, noting that the board is not subject to the same level of public scrutiny as elected officials.
“Disney’s corporate kingdom is over,” DeSantis said.
Copyright 2023 WRMT. All rights reserved.
