Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law Monday the bill that will result in Disney losing all self-governance in the district. The CS/HB 9B bill to improve Reedy Creek in Orange and Osceola counties is a response to the entertainment giant's refusal to support the "Don't Say Gay" law last year.
Telemundo reports that thanks to this bill, DeSantis will be able to regain state and fiscal control of the land on which Walt Disney World Resort is built: "Allowing a corporation to control its own government is bad policy, especially when the corporation makes decisions that impact an entire region," DeSantis said.
The Governor celebrated his victory over Disney with a public signing in Lake Buena Vista: "Today the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end. There’s a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day."
I signed legislation to end Disney’s self-governing status, placed the area in state receivership, and appointed 5 members to a state control board.
Disney no longer has its own government, will live under the same laws as everyone else and pay its debts and fair share of taxes. pic.twitter.com/5JnZmEjSdv
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 27, 2023
Changes Ron DeSantis will bring to the new special district
The legislation, which had until March 14 to pass, does not eliminate the special district (which will now be renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) but allows DeSantis to appoint a new board.
In fact, the Governor will appoint five members to the board of supervisors, who must be approved by the Florida Senate. It also allows him to take actions such as those highlighted in the following tweet, including ensuring that Disney pays the same taxes as everyone else and ending the secrecy that reigns at Disney by ensuring transparency.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 27, 2023
Disney has supporters in this fight against Ron DeSantis. Democratic lawmaker Anna Eskamani, who represents the area around Walt Disney World Park, said in a statement she sent Monday morning that the new law was a mistake and eliminated freedom of speech:
Today Governor DeSantis signed into law a bill that seals his hostile takeover of Reedy Creek. Below is Representative Eskamani’s response.
You can also read it here: https://t.co/ROVNLaWfGR pic.twitter.com/ULLGaaFHSW
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) February 27, 2023
