According to a state lawmaker, Disney hopes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ expected 2024 presidential run will give the Mouse House an easy way out of its ongoing conflict with the governor’s office.
This week, Florida lawmakers are holding a special session to consider a bill that would give DeSantis full control of the five-person board of supervisors for Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District — which he himself has held for decades. Revoking the company’s control over the entity after the takeover.
State Sen. Jason Pizzo asserted that Disney may try to challenge the DeSantis-led overhaul of its special tax district in Florida in court — and the governor’s current office in favor of a White House run. Can drag out the process for a long time to dig.
“I think Disney expects to litigate this issue, file a lawsuit, hopefully get a stay from the court to keep things the status quo, and then basically have it at this point. Drag it out until DeSantis is gone and people don’t need or care about Disney, Pizzo said at a Monday press conference, according to Insider.
“We’re all hoping that the governor will make a real decision soon about what he wants to do with his future, so he can leave the business of lawmaking in Florida to Floridians,” Pizzo added. Pizzo added.
Under state law, Florida officials are required to resign from office if they run for another office. DeSantis won re-election to a second term in November and will remain in office until 2026 if he does not choose to run for president.
DeSantis, who is widely expected to pursue the Republican presidential nomination, has led a crackdown on Disney since the entertainment giant overturned Florida’s GOP-backed “Dont Say Gay” law. But it has been criticized at the public level.
The legislation under consideration would retain the Reedy Creek Improvement District after some earlier calls to dissolve it entirely.
However, DeSantis will have the authority to appoint all five members of its oversight board, which will be renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Additionally, the district would have limited autonomy and would be required to comply with state regulations.
The special session, which will also discuss other bills, is expected to last for 12 days.
Disney declined to comment on its potential response to the legislation.
“We are monitoring the progress of the draft legislation, which is complicated given the long history of the Reedy Creek Improvement District,” said Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Wahle.
“Disney operates under many different models and jurisdictions around the world, and regardless of the outcome, we are committed to providing the highest quality experience to the millions of guests we visit each year,” Wahle added.
The Post has reached out to DeSantis’ office for comment.
With post wires
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