In the latest development between the rivalry between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), the Governor is calling for the Florida Legislature to remove Disney’s self-governing role.
This week, the Florida Legislature was called for a special session to address the redistricting map that the Governor provided. However, the Governor is also calling on the Legislature to address his ongoing feud with Disney.
In response, Democratic lawmakers are chiding the Governor with Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D) calling DeSantis’ call “authoritarian trash.”
Delivering the news in a news conference held in the Villages, DeSantis expressed “that we are expanding the call of what they are going to be considering this week,” adding that “yes, they will be considering the congressional map, but they also will be considering termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968 – and that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District.”
The Reedy Creek Improvement District is the governing body and the special taxing district for the Walt Disney World Resort. Lawmakers in 1967 created it, and it is comprised of 39 square miles, two cities and land in Osceola and Orange counties.
The district specifically allows Disney to govern itself with the same authority and the same responsibility as a county government.
When news of this call made airwaves, Democratic lawmakers responded, having already criticized DeSantis over the special session.
On social media, Eskamani questioned, “so basically Republicans are punishing Disney right now but this can be ‘reconsidered’ next year if Disney is on their best behavior w/DeSantis,” adding that “this is some authoritarian trash.”
So basically Republicans are punishing Disney right now but this can be "reconsidered" next year if Disney is on their best behavior w/DeSantis. This is some authoritarian trash.
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) April 19, 2022
She provided further comments on the matter, explaining that “this isn’t how government is supposed to work – Orange and Osceola County haven’t even analyzed the impact of this Reedy Creek bill and it’s is alllll [sic] designed to be punitive, performative and petty.”
Instead, Eskamani noted that “for lawmakers who say they oppose cancel culture they sure like to cancel any opposing voices.”
