[b]● Disney’s special tax district ends after half a century ● Changes seen by many as retaliation for Disney’s view on “Don’t say gay” measure. ● “The corporate kingdom finally comes to and end” says Governor DeSantis[/b]
[i][c=666666]A Walt Disney World photographer holds a Pride rainbow-coloured Mickey Mouse cutout (REUTERS)[/c][/i]
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On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that allows the state to take control of a special tax district that surrounds Walt Disney World. It brings to an end the arrangement that had been in place for over 50 years and allowed the company to run itself with a high degree of autonomy.
“The corporate kingdon finally comes to an end,” DeSantis said at a press event at Lake Buena Vista near Orlando.
Disney was targeted by state Republicans last year after it clashed with DeSantis. The public debate raged over a new law that restricts classroom instruction of gender and sexual orientation. That law is known by its opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” measure. DeSantis is widely expected to run for president in 2024. At the time, Disney’s CEO, Bob Chapek voiced disappointment with the new law and stated that he had called DeSantis to express concerns about the new measures.
Now this recent move by DeSantis is seen by many as retaliation for Disney’s view on the “Don’t Say Gay” measure. The new bill that DeSantis signed into law authorizes the Governor to appoint five supervisors to oversee municipal services such as fire protection, public utilities, waste collection and road maintenance in the region where Disney World operates. The supervisors also have the authority to raise revenue to pay outstanding debt to cover the cost of services.
“We have a situation here that was basically indefensible from a policy perspective,” DeSantis said. “How do you give one theme park its own government and then treat all the other theme parks differently? We believe that that was not a good policy.”
A spokesperson for Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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[c=004A59][b]Opinion Poll: [u]Should Disney be punished for its view on 'Don't Say Gay' law?[/u][/b][/c]
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