Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis denied a report Friday that the state was contemplating reversing its resolution to dissolve Disney’s particular governing district close to Orlando.
In an announcement, a spokesperson for DeSantis stated the governor “doesn’t make U-turns.”
“The governor was proper to champion eradicating the extraordinary profit given to 1 firm by the Reedy Creek Enchancment District,” the governor’s workplace stated. “We can have a fair taking part in subject for companies in Florida, and the state actually owes no particular favors to 1 firm. Disney’s money owed is not going to fall on the taxpayers of Florida. A plan is within the works and might be launched quickly.”
Earlier Friday, the Monetary Instances reported Florida lawmakers thought-about conserving in place the particular governing district that encompasses Disney World as Disney CEO Bob Iger returned to guide the corporate.
In April, Tallahassee legislators voted to dissolve Disney’s 55-year-old particular tax district after Disney and former CEO Bob Chapek objected to DeSantis’ transfer to ban educating about sexual orientation or gender identification to college students in kindergarten by third grade.
However based on the FT report, state lawmakers at the moment are engaged on a compromise that might enable Disney to maintain the particular district in place, with a number of modifications.
Iger’s return as Disney CEO final month would assist pave the way in which for a decision, the FT reported.
“It’s simpler to shift coverage while you don’t should defend the previous coverage,” Florida State Rep. Randy Nice, who drafted the invoice to dissolve the district, informed the FT. “Chapek screwed up, however Bob Iger doesn’t should personal that screw-up.”
Nice couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.
The 25,000-acre Reedy Creek property is a de facto city-within-a-city run by Disney. It permits the corporate to take care of its personal infrastructure, roads, hearth division, and water district in order that Disney World isn’t reliant on state and native municipal providers. It could possibly additionally construct or make adjustments to its bodily properties with out having to be aware of a neighborhood planning board. And it will probably subject bonds to boost cash for enhancements.
Disney nonetheless pays property taxes and different levies to the jurisdictions during which it sits, together with Orange and Osceola counties.
The FT report says Iger informed Disney workers Monday that he was “sorry to see us get dragged into [the] battle” over Reedy Creek and wanted time to “stand up to hurry” on the problem.
“What I can say [is] the state of Florida has been vital to us for a very long time and we have now been crucial to the state of Florida,” Iger added. “That’s one thing I’m extraordinarily conscious of and can articulate if I get the prospect.”
A consultant for Disney didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
