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On Tuesday morning, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that state lawmakers will consider stripping Disney of its self-governing power during a special session originally called to work specifically on congressional redistricting.
“They also will be considering termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968 and that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District,” DeSantis said.
It is continued fallout of Disney’s criticism of the state’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law, which bars educators from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity to students in kindergarten through third grade. School districts may opt to ban topics of sexual orientation or gender identity beyond third grade if leaders deem them not to be age or developmentally appropriate.
Despite Disney’s tepid criticism of the legislation prior to its passage, the company has since said it is a “goal…for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts.” It continued, in part, “We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country.”
DeSantis called the company’s stated goal as something that “crossed the line.”
“This state is governed by the interest of the people of the state of Florida. It is not based on the demands of California corporate executives. They do not run this state. They do not control this state,” the governor said, in part.
Democratic State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith from Orlando said Republicans calling out districts for their special status is disingenuous.
“They are applying this bill only to affect Reedy Creek and not The Villages. This is political retribution. They are punishing Disney for speaking out against them on ‘Don’t Say Gay,'” he said.
In 1967, Disney got the support of Florida’s then-Republican governor, Claude Kirk, and the legislature to establish the Reedy Creek Improvement District. It gave Disney near-total control of nearly 40 square miles as it built and then operated its theme park. It exempts the park and its environs from nearly all state regulations. Property taxes and elevator inspections are exceptions.
“Welcome to Florida’s petty & punitive state government. If you question the Governor and stand up for LGBTQ+ people you get canceled and called a pedophile,” tweeted state Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), a frequent DeSantis critic. “This is all a distraction from erasing black districts. Meanwhile, people can’t afford their rent in FL but let’s do more culture was instead!”
Welcome to Florida’s petty & punitive state government. If you question the Governor and stand up for LGBTQ+ people you get canceled and called a pedophile. Serious lawmaking going on. https://t.co/9FXEZHAJJK
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) April 19, 2022
