Florida Gov Ron DeSantis touts bill, suggests prison near Disney World
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Zac Anderson
USA TODAY NETWORK
It's the latest chapter in a remarkable saga that has helped define DeSantis' culture warrior image, pitting the governor against a company synonymous with Florida tourism.
DeSantis has slammed Disney for being too "woke" after the company opposed his Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed by critics the "Don't Say Gay Bill."
The governor, who is expected to announce a run for president in the coming weeks, pushed through legislation last year taking away Disney's self-governing status in Florida. The legislation gives the state oversight over the company's Central Florida properties, but in a surprise move Disney found a way to nullify the state's authority shortly before the new law took effect.
Now DeSantis wants to overturn Disney's efforts to slip out of state control, accusing the company of doing "special deals" that "would essentially render everything that we did null and void."
DeSantis floats idea of building prison
Disney secured development agreements that give it control of development rights on its properties for many years to come, circumventing the state oversight board appointed by DeSantis. A statement by Disney said the transaction was above-board, properly noticed and done at a public meeting in the Sunshine.
DeSantis said Monday that Florida lawmakers will unveil legislation next week that ensures "the agreements purported to be entered into by Disney are revoked."
In addition to repealing the development agreements between Disney and its oversight board, the new legislation is expected to give state inspectors oversight over Disney's rides, ending a carveout that exempted the company from state inspections.
DeSantis also floated a number of other actions that his state oversight board could take that Disney may not like.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which governs Disney's properties and is controlled by DeSantis, owns property next to Disney's resorts. The governor said these properties could be developed, noting it was suggested the state could build a new prison.
"People are like: 'What should we do with this land?" DeSantis said, adding "People have said maybe create a state park, maybe try to do more amusements parks, someone even said, like, maybe you need another state prison. Who knows? I just think that the possibilities are endless, so that is now going be analyzed to see what would make the most sense."
The governor's comments about building a prison near Disney's theme parks drew immediate criticism.
"Ron DeSantis just threatened to build a state prison next to Disney World," said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. "All because they don't hate gay people."
DeSantis also suggested Disney's properties could be appraised at a higher value, forcing the company to pay more in taxes, and a utility that serves the company's properties could be sold.
"If you're undervaluing property that means you're not paying your fair share," he said.
DeSantis has made his battle with Disney a central part of his political identity, so the company's efforts to thwart his oversight threaten to tarnish that image. He has vowed not to rest until Disney is brought to heel, and his allies repeated that Message Monday.
"I know this governor and I know this governor well so I have a couple words for Disney: You are not going to win this fight, this governor will," said state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia. "And one word of advice to Disney corporation going forward: Just let it go."
Disney has called DeSantis moves 'anti-business'
The USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida is reaching out to Disney representatives for comment.
The company has largely been silent, but in their most expansive comments to date on the feud earlier this month, Disney CEO Bob Iger called DeSantis' moves "anti-business" and "anti-Florida."
"A year ago, the company took a position on pending Florida legislation," Iger told shareholders in a meeting. "And while the company may have not handled the position that it took very well, a company has a right to freedom of speech just like individuals do."
Iger added that: "The governor got very angry about the position Disney took and seems like he's decided to retaliate against us, including the naming of a new board to oversee the property and the business. In effect, to seek to punish a company for its exercise of a constitutional right. And that just seems really wrong to me."
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Poor progressives, they had their heart set on a multinational billion dollar corporation being able to govern itself and set its own tax rates.
It's a tough day for the corporate cheerleaders when one of their beloved corporations has to submit to government oversight.
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Disney never set it's own tax rates.
Shhhh. You're interrupting his nonsensical rant...
They could under the new agreement they just passed.
Really? Please post where you found that nugget. Considering DeSantis hasn't mentioned that I'm really curious.
Don't hold your breath since it doesn't exist.
Like they've been doing for over 50 years?
Poor republicans trying to control what private businesses can and cannot do with their own property. I guess the new republican is now anti-capitalism.
Literally no one gives a shit about any of that.
DeSantis daddy Donny can live there.
Since Mickey Mouse out-negotiated DeSantis he has been whining like a little pissant. First, it was going to be toll roads into Disneyworld, higher taxes, and now a prison..LMAO yeah brilliant DeSantis try and make it difficult for one of the largest taxpayers in Florida along with one of the largest employers in the state with plans to invest $17 billion over the next ten years.
He tried to fuck Disney, the cruse lines, bars and education. What's left?
Voting rights.
If you hadn’t already though DeSantis had lost his marbles, surely this must convince somebody.
It blows my mind that he openly crafts legislation to punish a company for having an opinion on a matter of public interest. This punishment includes taking away duly granted authority over property, raising taxes against this party alone, and developing projects intended to damage their business.
And Republicans are just fine with this obvious corruption!
And what the fuck is this psycho talking about? Let what go, exactly? Disney opined on the “don’t say gay” shit like a year ago, and hasn’t commented on it, or any other public issue, since. This should be over.
And the guy that said it has been replaced. Though last night Disney did announce their first ever official Pride Nite at Disney Land in CA.
DeSantis must really have his ego shattered by Mickey he is wailing around like a banshee on a broom.
He's not really the tough guy he wants to be in his pressers. A rival theme park? A prison? Taxes and inspection targeting only Disney? None of that will fly and will take longer than DeSantis will stay in politics at this point.
DeSantis anointed himself as the protector of faith/Christians and has pissed off both the Evangelicals and the RCC, twice.
Catholic leader accuses Ron DeSantis — who has positioned himself as a defender of the Christian faith — and Florida Republicans of seeking to criminalize 'empathy' with new anti-immigrant crackdown