Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has escalated his feud with Disney by threatening to impose taxes on Disney’s hotels and roadways leading to the theme park.
In addition, he pledged to remove the company’s authority over development in a district that oversees its property.
During a speech in Michigan, he declared, “We are going to win on every single Disney-related issue.”
The threat is the most recent development in the state’s protracted conflict with the company.
Ron DeSantis is widely expected to compete for president in 2024 and is viewed as the leading Republican candidate.
His disagreement with the entertainment behemoth began when Disney criticized the state’s Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics.
The measure prohibits teaching sexual orientation and gender identity to students under the age of nine. Mr. DeSantis has advocated for the expansion of the law to include all grade levels.
Since Disney opposed the policy, Mr. DeSantis has advocated for greater government oversight of its Orlando theme parks.
Walt Disney World operated within Florida’s Reedy Creek Improvement District for over 50 years, essentially functioning as a self-governing area with control over utilities and fire protection.
Thursday, in a speech at the conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan, Mr. DeSantis referred to Disney as “a joke.”
He stated,
“They are not superior to the people of Florida.” I can assure you that we will ultimately prevail on each and every issue involving Disney.
In February, Mr. DeSantis signed a bill that increased the company’s supervision through a five-member board appointed by the state.
Last week, however, the new board stated that its authority had been hampered by a last-minute agreement granting the entertainment giant near-total control over development in the district in perpetuity or until “21 years after the death of the last surviving descendant of King Charles III, King of England.”
Mr. DeSantis stated this week that Disney is “acting as if they took advantage of the state” in regard to the last-minute agreement.
“But now that Disney has reopened this issue, we’re not just going to nullify the development agreement they attempted,” he said, adding that the state would also look to develop property it owns near Disney.
The BBC has requested comment from Disney
The company, which is one of Florida’s largest employers, said in a statement last week that all agreements between Disney and the district were “appropriate” and debated and approved in “open, noticed public forums.”
During a meeting with shareholders earlier this week, Disney CEO Bob Iger took aim at Mr. DeSantis, labeling his actions “anti-business” and “anti-Florida” and contending that the company had “the same right to freedom of speech as individuals.”
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