Tag Archives: Disney

Courthouse News Service reports: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis violated the rights of taxpayers when he signed a law removing Disney’s self-governing status, three residents claim in a federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday. In the 11-page complaint, Michael Foronda, Edward Foronda and Vivian Gorsky — all of whom live near the Walt Disney World theme park and resort — say the …

The Wall Street Journal reports: In private meetings and coaching sessions over the past few weeks, top business leaders have been asking a version of the same question: How can we avoid becoming the next Walt Disney Co.? The fallout from the recent political spat between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has alarmed leaders across the corporate sphere, according …

“In those lower grades, you shouldn’t be teaching sexual orientation and those matters that should not be covered at that age. “But I don’t believe that governors should be punitive against private businesses because they disagree with them. “That is not the right approach either. To me, that is the old Republican principle of having restrained government. “Let’s not go …

Orlando’s NBC News affiliate reports: The Walt Disney Co. has remained publicly silent since Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law last week dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District, but a letter to investors shows they’re not going down without a fight. The law, which DeSantis signed in a special legislative session, would end any independent special district the Legislature …

The Miami Herald reports: One of the nation’s leading bond rating agencies warned Thursday that if the state of Florida doesn’t resolve a conflict over its decision to repeal Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District and its obligation to investors, the move could harm the financial standing of other Florida governments. Fitch Ratings posted the alert late Thursday on …

Florida Politics reports: “DeSanTAX.” Oops. Spoiler alert. That’s the punchline of a new TV commercial that Democratic gubernatorial candidate and current Rep. Charlie Crist is launching in the Orlando market. It attacks Gov. Ron DeSantis’ legislative culture war battle with the Walt Disney Company. The ad charges that Governor’s Disney ire could result in tax increases in Orange and Osceola …

Florida Politics reports: Getting rid of Disney World’s government isn’t likely going to hurt the Mouse, Deutsche Bank analysts wrote in a new research note published Tuesday. “We don’t see a material negative outcome from this situation for Disney; and financially speaking, we think it could end up being a positive development,” analysts Bryan Kraft, Benjamin Soff and Connor Murphy …

Florida Politics reports: Sen. Rick Scott said Monday that he has no plans to go back to Disney World and that he’s canceled his subscription to the Disney+ streaming service in the wake of the company’s opposition to the state’s Parental Rights in Education law. The Senator, during an appearance on the Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” contended that …

Orlando’s ABC News affiliate reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District on Friday afternoon. The state House passed the measure on Thursday. Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph said dissolving the district could be a massive financial burden for taxpayers. “The moment that Reedy Creek doesn’t exist is the moment that that those …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: Dissolving Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District could saddle local taxpayers with about $1 billion in debt and leave local governments scrambling with how to take over vital services for Florida’s top tourist attraction. What happens next is unclear, but Orange County’s tax collector and other opponents of the bill say ending Reedy Creek could …

The Associated Press reports: The Florida House of Representatives on Thursday gave final passage to a bill that would dissolve Walt Disney World’s private government, handing Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis a victory in his feud with the entertainment giant over its opposition to a measure that critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The move could have huge tax …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: The Republican-controlled Florida Senate quickly voted Wednesday to dissolve Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. The Senate voted 23-16 to dissolve Reedy Creek, with Sen. Jeff Brandes the only Republican to vote against Sen. Jennifer Bradley’s bill. The Senate voted along party lines to approve Bradley’s bill retracting the Disney carveout. Democrats assailed their Republican colleagues …

Inside The Magic reports:  The Reedy Creek Improvement Act essentially allows Walt Disney World to reside in Florida unregulated, acting as its own “government” in a way. The act involved creating a special taxing district that acts with the same authority as a county government. This situation, while complex, seemed fairly cut-and-dry until reporters started to do the numbers and …

From the editorial board of the Miami Herald: In an act of pure vengeance, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that he was using his powers to expand this week’s special session in a push to strip Walt Disney World of the special taxing district that independently governs it. It’s clear that the governor has been nursing a towering grudge …

Florida Politics reports: “When you poke the bear or you kick the bees’ nest, sometimes issues come out,” said Brevard County Republican Rep. Randy Fine, sponsor of HB 3C. Fine and other Republican committee members who spoke made it clear that the bees nest was Gov. Ron DeSantis. The House State Affairs Committee approved HB 3C 14-7 along party lines. …

Raw Story reports: While talking on his “Verdict” podcast, Cruz complained about Disney’s opposition to Florida’s new “Don’t Say Gay” law that critics say could force LGBTQ teachers to remain closeted out of fear of being sued by parents. “I think there are people who are misguided trying to drive Disney, stepping in saying, you know, in every episode now …

The Miami Herald reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday he has expanded the special session on redistricting this week to cut to the core of his latest political enemy and announced he wants lawmakers to repeal the law that allows the Walt Disney World Resort to operate as a self-governing body. “I am announcing today that we are expanding the …

Orlando’s ABC News affiliate reports: People came out Saturday to rally against Disney near one of the park’s entrances. Protesters said they are not happy with the company’s so-called political agenda. Channel 9 saw protesters holding signs calling Disney “groomers” and asking them to revoke Disney’s autonomy. The governor signed the controversial bill more than two weeks ago. It bans …

Politico reports: Weeks before The Walt Disney Co. took a stand against Florida’s contentious “Parental Rights in Education” law — which has been called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by its critics — the theme park operator and entertainment conglomerate donated $190,000 to support Florida Republicans. The company gave $125,000 to the Republican Party of Florida and $65,000 to a …

The Washington Post reports: As Disney employees protested what they considered a delayed and lackluster response from the company to what critics call Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill, a Disney heir who recently came out as transgender watched in silence. Now, Charlee Corra Disney, who uses they/them pronouns, is speaking out. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times published …