The conflict between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has escalated, with DeSantis now threatening to tax Disney-owned hotels and the roads that lead to the Magic Kingdom.
In addition, he stated that he would remove the company’s ability to influence construction in the area where its land is located.
In a speech given in Michigan, he declared, “We are going to win on every single issue involving Disney.”
The state’s ongoing dispute with the company is reaching a new level of intensity with this threat. When Disney criticized the state’s Parental Rights in Education Act, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, he began a dispute with the entertainment giant.
Under the new rules, teachers cannot discuss sexuality or gender identity with students younger than nine.
Mr. DeSantis has pushed for the law to be applied to all levels of education.
Governor DeSantis has advocated for stricter regulation of Disney’s Orlando theme parks after the company voiced its opposition to the policy.
DeSantis referred to Disney as a “joke” during a speech he gave on Thursday at Michigan’s conservative Hillsdale College. “They are not superior to the people of Florida,” he said. “Ultimately, we’re going to win on every single issue involving Disney, I can tell you that.”
DeSantis signed legislation in February mandating additional state oversight of the company through a five-member board.
A last-minute agreement, which gives the entertainment giant almost total control over development in the district forever or until “21 years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III, king of England,” was cited by the new board last week as a reason for its inability to carry out its duties.
The Florida Governor said this week that Disney “acts like somehow that they pulled one over on the state” with the last-minute deal.
But now that Disney has reopened this issue, he said, “We’re not just going to void the development agreement they tried to do; we’re also going to look at things like taxes on the hotels and tolls on the roads.” He also said that the state would consider developing land it owns in the Disney area.
The company, which is one of Florida’s largest employers, issued a statement last week claiming that all contracts between Disney and the school district had been thoroughly discussed and approved in “open, noticed public forums.”
