In an ongoing public conflict between the entertainment company and the state, Disney CEO Bob Iger lashed out at Florida’s Republican governor.
Mr. Iger stated on Monday that recent measures by Governor Ron DeSantis have been “anti-business” and “anti-Florida.”
Disney was targeted by state lawmakers after it criticized a Florida law limiting gender and sexuality education.
In the debate, Mr. DeSantis has advocated for greater state control over Disney’s Orlando entertainment parks.
US media reported that during a Monday meeting with Disney shareholders, Mr. Iger stated that “a company has the same right to free expression as a person.”
Mr. DeSantis “was extremely unhappy with the position Disney took,” he added, referring to the company’s opposition to the state’s Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” measure by detractors.
The bill prohibits teaching sexual orientation and gender identity to students under the age of nine.
Mr. Iger admitted in his remarks a dispute over a last-minute deal inked before Florida compelled Disney to relinquish its exclusive authority over state officials.
Bob Iger stated,
“It appears that he has decided to retaliate against us, including the appointment of a new board to manage the property and the business, in an attempt to punish a firm for exercising a constitutional right.”
“It seems extremely inappropriate to me.”
Mr. Iger, who was hosting his first investor’s meeting since returning as Disney’s CEO in November 2022, stated,
“Any action that thwarts such efforts in retaliation for a position the corporation made sounds anti-business and anti-Florida.”
“I’ll leave it at that for now.”
Walt Disney World existed within Florida’s Reedy Creek Improvement District for more than 50 years, basically functioning as a self-governing jurisdiction with control over utilities and fire services.
In February, Mr. DeSantis signed a bill that subjected Disney to additional layers of external control through a state-appointed five-member board. But, the new board stated last week that it had been neutered by the last-minute deal.
This deal grants Disney near-total control over the district’s development in perpetuity or until “21 years after the death of the last surviving descendant of King Charles III of England.”
Mr. DeSantis and his backers characterized the action as an effort to violate the will of Floridians and state legislators. The former board has been the subject of an investigation requested by the governor.
The conflict between Mr. DeSantis and Disney over cultural problems has helped enhance the governor’s status as a potential Republican presidential frontrunner in 2024. It is widely anticipated that he will declare his candidacy in the coming months.
On Monday, Mr. DeSantis signed a bill permitting concealed carry of firearms without a permit or training.
The bill will go into effect on 1 July, becoming Florida the 26th state in the United States to enable permitless carry.
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