The Reed Creek feud culminated on Thursday when Florida lawmakers passed a bill aimed at stripping Disney’s special self-government privileges for Governor Ron Desantis, who is expected to sign the measure into law.
The result reflects Florida Republicans’ response to Disney’s appeal. Don’t say “gay” in the law and in what is widely seen as a shift in focus from redrawing Congressional maps to removing the black majority from the two majorities. The fight against Disney is the latest front in the culture war waged by the COVID-19 landing over restrictions, sexuality and gender, which led to a presidential debate in 2024.
The collapse of the Reedy Creek Improvement District could have a huge ripple effect. The Orange and Oceola countries, where Disney’s sprawling theme park is located, could inherit more than $1 billion in Disney debt. Residents of these countries may also have to pay an average of $2,200 more per household based on local property taxes. the new herald.
A dispute between Florida lawmakers and Disney erupted when the company promised to repeal a parental rights education law that bans teaching or discussing gender identity or sexual orientation in K-3 classes and allows parents to sue districts. schoolchildren if they believe the law has been violated. . Disney was initially silent on the law, but later objected under pressure from officials.
Disney suspended political donations to the state in March and promised to encourage repeal of the law. DeSantis responded by calling the company a “awakening corporation” that seeks to influence state affairs. “If we want the Democrat machine and its corporate dogs to be held accountable, we must unite now,” the Landing Party wrote in a statement on Wednesday.
Under the new proposal, independent special districts created before 1968 and not renewed after that date will be eliminated. It includes a provision that allows for recreation after its dissolution.
Disney and Orlando residents currently own the land to cover the costs of maintaining the area, including paying for emergency care and waste management services. Disney’s Special Tax District exempts you from many regulations and certain taxes and fees associated with ambulance services and highway maintenance. But the special district does not exempt Disney from property taxes, and the company is Central Florida’s largest taxpayer, paying $300 million annually in the Orange and Oceola countries, plus about $250 million in other state taxes.
If these countries are to monitor Reed Creek, they must do so without significant additional funding. The district includes four theme parks, two water parks, a sports complex, a 75-lane pipeline, a 67-mile water pipeline, its own emergency services, an environmental science laboratory, an electricity generation and distribution facility, and a distribution of natural gas. . system. And a unique waste collection system.
Some critics argue that the Florida legislature cannot unilaterally dissolve Reed Creek. Under state planning and development regulations, a majority of voters living in an electoral district must approve the revocation of their special electoral district.
“This is another example of Ron Desantis, the governor of petty, punitive and performance politics,” said Representative Anna W. Bush. Escaman, a Democrat from Orlando. the hollywood reporter. “He prefers to divert attention from Congressional maps of Florida to black minority areas and ignore real-life issues because it appeals to his political base. Meanwhile, everyday people fight to save our state. “It is worrying to see that their political ambitions are outstripping the needs of the state.”
Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
