Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation Ending the Corporate Kingdom of Walt Disney World

Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 9-B, Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange, and Osceola Counties, to end self-governing status and special privileges provided to Walt Disney World through the Reedy Creek Improvement District and establish a new state-controlled district accountable to the people of Florida. The bill provides legislative intent on the district’s authority to raise revenue and pay outstanding bonds and other obligations without interruption. More on HB 9-B can be found here.

“Allowing a corporation to control its own government is bad policy, especially when the corporation makes decisions that impact an entire region,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This legislation ends Disney’s self-governing status, makes Disney live under the same laws as everybody else, and ensures that Disney pays its debts and fair share of taxes.”

HB 9-B ends Disney’s self-governing status and imposes a five-member state control board that is appointed by the Governor and subject to Senate confirmation.

This legislation amends the Reedy Creek Improvement District charter which: 

  • ENDS Disney’s self-governing status.
  • ENDS Disney’s exemption from the Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code.
  • ENDS Disney’s exemption from state regulatory reviews and approvals.
  • ENDS Disney’s secrecy by ensuring transparency. 
  • ENSURES that Disney will pay its fair share of taxes.
  • PREVENTS leftist local governments from using the situation to raise local taxes.
  • IMPOSES Florida law so that Disney is no longer given preferential treatment.
  • ENSURES that Disney’s municipal debt will be paid by Disney, not Florida taxpayers.
  • Disney stock continues to flounder…. perhaps 4th time CEO Bob Iger can right the ship away from the wokeness and toward more a more traditional Disney.

    • YoursTruly: How much Disney stock do you own? In other words, it is irrelevant in your life. Disney has a Strong Buy consensus based on 20 Buys and four Holds assigned in the past three months. But go ahead and keep buying those lottery scratch-offs!

  • Did you see that Last Chance Harvey? You’ve had enough chances. Hopefully your fat ass is next…. time to put your big boy panties on.

    • Lyn: It’s “wonderful” that DeSantis got a name change? State pick up payroll for Reedy Creek board, firefighters, police and facilities. Disney keeps tax breaks and $578 million in tax credits. Disney is the winner here.

  • Thank you Governor DeSantis!
    Now come after Gainesville and fix this mess that the democrats created.

    • Citizen Sane: Thanking DeSantis got a name change? State pick up payroll for Reedy Creek board, firefighters, police and facilities. Disney keeps tax breaks and $578 million in tax credits. Disney is the winner here. Is this what you call “owning the libs”??!?!

  • I hope and pray that Governor DeSantis gets the Gainesville City Commission in his sights. We sure could use his help with that bunch.

  • Based on news analysis all the legislature/DeSantis did was change the name from Reedy Creek Improvement District to Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and give DeSantis the power to appoint the board. All powers, privileges, and functions under Disney were left intact.

    Disney has stated they can live with the changes.

    All the appointees are either major donors to the DeSantis campaign or well connected to the Fla Republican Party–examples being Martin Garcia, donated $50,000 to the DeSantis campaign while Bridget Ziegler is the wife of the Fla GOP’s chair and co-founder of Moms for Liberty.

    Nothing else has changed regarding Disney operations according to news reports.

    • The Big Rat: The whole debacle backfired. No wonder Disney offered no pushback, they kept all their tax breaks, tax credits AND no longer have to fund over 500 Reedy Creek employees. Huge win for the mouse! And to cap it all off, DeSantis ends the ceremony by making a comment about getting Reedy Creek firefighters “a raise,” when they are currently make $22.04 an hour, while Orange County firefighters make 19% less!

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