The war between The Walt Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just opened a whole new front in court.
After months of wrangling with the future GOP presidential nominee and his personally appointed board over the jurisdiction and control of Orlando-based Walt Disney World and its now-embattled special district status, the House of Mouse today took off its white gloves and sued the governor in the federal court.
“Disney regrets that it came to this,” the company said in its complaint (read it here). “But after best efforts to resolve the issue, the company has no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast, guests and local development partners from a vicious campaign to arm government power against Disney in retaliation for they didn’t speak out politically.” unpopular with certain civil servants.”
In a confrontation that has intensified as DeSantis’ presidential ambitions grow, the media giant, led by Bob Iger, claims the Sunshine State governor pursued a policy of “retaliation” against Disney for denying one of his priorities, a law on parental rights, known as disregard. the Don’t Say Gay Act.
The governor has relentlessly attacked the company as a “woke” company, and said this month they were looking at a range of possible measures against the company, including increased oversight of driver safety, raising property valuations and even levying tolls on the roads that lead resorts. He even suggested building a state prison near the theme parks.
The lawsuit stems from DeSantis’ efforts to gain control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the 55-year-old entity that allowed the company to manage its sprawling Florida estate itself. The district oversees things like infrastructure, roads and development, and also has taxing powers and the ability to take on bonded debt.
Last year, after Disney, under then-CEO Bob Chapek, opposed the DeSantis-backed Parental Rights Act, the governor decided to dissolve the special district. But surrounding counties raised the alarm that they would have to pay about $1 billion in county debt.
DeSantis then tried earlier this year to keep the district instead, but put it under state control, with the governor having the power to appoint its members and being confirmed by the Senate.
But as the state legislature moved to approve the DeSantis-backed Reedy Creek bill in February, the county board, which is still controlled by Disney, approved a series of development agreements with Walt Disney World. These agreements ensure that the Company retains control over the development of its own property and surrounding land, whether or not those appointed by DeSantis will serve as county council leaders.
The Disney development deals were approved in public meetings, though with little media attention, and only gained attention last month when DeSantis-elected board members said they severely limited their powers. DeSantis critics, including GOP rival Donald Trump, said the governor was misled by Disney.
The governor then promised that the council and the state legislature would take action to void Disney’s development agreements. The company cites its efforts to withdraw the development agreements as a legislative declaration in its lawsuit.
In its lawsuit, the company said that “a targeted government retaliation campaign – orchestrated at every step by Gov. DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech – now threatens Disney’s business, jeopardizes its economic future in the region and its constitutional violates rights.” ”
“Because the statute retaliates against Disney for its protected speech, Disney is entitled to a declaratory judgment that the statute is unconstitutional and an injunction enjoining the defendants from enforcing it,” Disney urged the court.
Taryn Fenske, communications director for DeSantis, said in a statement: “We are not aware of any legal right that a corporation has to run its own government or retain special privileges not held by other corporations in the state .”
Fenske added, “This lawsuit is another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.”
Source: Deadline
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
