Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Pushes Further Laws to Fight Disney
Gov. Ron DeSantis asked for the final word on his ongoing feud with Disney and to strike back after the company appeared to have beaten him, visiting the Disney World suburbs on Monday to sue the state against property. announced legislation aimed at re-exercising control over He proposed building a prison nearby.
DeSantis touched on the idea of building the prison on land owned by the state-run special district that manages Disney’s property, amid escalating conflicts with the iconic Florida corporation.
It’s the latest chapter in a remarkable story that helped define DeSantis’ image of a cultural warrior, pitting the governor against a company synonymous with tourism in Florida.
DeSantis accused Disney of being too “awake” after the company objected to custody laws in his education called “Don’t Say Gay Bill” by detractors.
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The governor, who is set to announce his presidential run in the coming weeks, last year passed a bill stripping Disney of its autonomy in Florida. The law gave state oversight over the company’s Central Florida facility, but surprisingly, Disney found a way to override state authority just before the new law took effect.
Now DeSantis wants to undermine Disney’s efforts to escape state control, accusing Disney of making a “special deal” that “essentially nullifies everything we’ve done.” I think.
By circumventing the state oversight board appointed by DeSantis, Disney secured a development contract that would allow it to control development rights to the property for years to come.
DeSantis said Monday that Florida legislators will announce legislation next week that will ensure that “any contract Disney is alleged to have entered into will be cancelled.”
In addition to repealing the development agreement between Disney and its oversight board, the new law expects state inspectors to monitor Disney vehicles and exempts the company from state inspections. end the carve-out
DeSantis also highlighted a number of other actions his state oversight board could take that Disney might not like.
The Central Florida Tourist Observatory, which manages Disney properties and is managed by DeSantis, owns properties adjacent to Disney resorts. Pointing to suggestions that the state may build new prisons, the governor said these properties could be developed.
“People are like, ‘What should we do with this land?'” DeSantis said. We plan to analyze what makes the most sense. “
The governor’s comments about building prisons near Disney theme parks quickly drew criticism.
“Ron DeSantis threatened to build a state prison next to Disney World. All because they don’t hate gays,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairman Nikki Freed.
DeSantis also suggested that Disney’s assets could be valued at a higher value, forcing the company to pay more taxes and utilities that service the company’s assets could be sold. bottom.
“Undervalued assets means you’re not paying your fair share,” he said.
DeSantis has made his battle with Disney so central to his political identity that the company’s efforts to thwart his oversight threaten to tarnish its image. Vowing not to, his allies repeated that message on Monday.
“I know this governor, and I know this governor very well, so I have a few words for Disney. You’re not going to win this battle, but this governor will,” Blaise Ingoria The state senator said: “And one word of advice for Disney going forward: Just let it go.”
http://rssfeeds.floridatoday.com/~/735976298/0/brevard/news~DeSantis-touts-new-bill-to-assert-control-over-Disney-suggests-building-prison-near-resort/ Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Pushes Further Laws to Fight Disney