The governor and some lawmakers have made it clear that the idea for the legislation stemmed from Disney's public statement on the recent law that prohibits classroom discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools. Florida actually dissolving Disney's special status unlikely since April 21 (Reuters) - A Florida bill that would eliminate the special tax district that gives the Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) the ability to govern its theme parks won approval from lawmakers on. Reedy Creek, explained. David D. Stewart: Now, are these types of arrangements typical for companies? Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that would terminate a special tax district that has allowed Walt Disney Co. to self-govern the land that houses its Orlando-area. Ben, this has been great. I'm expecting that we're going to see more lawsuits like this potentially even from Disney within the next year. Among other things, the legislature passed a bill revoking Walt Disney World's status as an independent special district. Disney and Ron DeSantis Clash: What to Know About the New Florida Tax Municipalities or the Legislature can also dissolve them: Republican lawmakers passed a bill to do just that to Reedy Creek and five other special tax districts by June 1, 2023, during an April special session. It had already passed the Senate. DeSantis gave his first real hint last week about the future of Reedy Creek. DeSantis and the GOP legislature originally tried to end Disney's special tax status in the state, but it risked being too costly for local taxpayers. The move deals a major blow to the company's ability to operate with autonomy. Florida lawmakers have stripped Disney of special tax status But getting rid of these districts can be tricky. Opponents say the law will isolate and stigmatise LGBT youth, while supporters say it protects children from age-inappropriate content. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill into law Friday that would dismantle the special taxing district where the Walt Disney World Resort operates, effectively weaponizing a hastily convened session of the state legislature against a company that has publicly criticized the states efforts to limit discussion of LGBTQ topics in elementary schools. Benjamin Valdez: I wouldn't say typical in the sense that states are just handing out special districts to any large company that wants to move to the state. Benjamin Valdez: The bill itself came together very quickly. DeSantis wants to end Disney World's special status in Florida, DeSantis' power is on full display as he pushes lawmakers on Disney and redistricting, Disney workers walk out over the company's response to so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill, Efforts to restrict rights for LGBTQ youth, After protests, Disney CEO speaks out against Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill. Disney's Special Tax District in Florida, Explained | WSJ - YouTube Since 1967, the Florida land housing Disney's theme parks has been governed by the company, allowing it to manage. And that's our big issue here. DeSantis, the Disney board and King Charles III: A power struggle - NPR What We Know About the DeSantis-Disney Dispute Ron DeSantis officially ends Disney's special Florida tax status Florida's Republican-led Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that would eliminate the Walt Disney Company's special tax district that has allowed the company to self-govern its land. This just is services that Disney is essentially paying for that the counties don't have to provide in that area. Disney and Ron DeSantis Clash: What to Know About the New Florida Tax Bill. Disney wields great influence in Florida, and it donated to DeSantis during the 2020 election cycle. Basically, they refiled it in the state-level court and refocused it. According to a local tax collector, Disney has taxed itself roughly $53 million each year to pay off the debts from that development. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' feud with Disney World, explained Florida Gov. The judge also said that basically filing a lawsuit on behalf of Disney's First Amendment rights isn't really appropriate and that the company can do that itself if it wants to. April 21 (Reuters) - Florida lawmakers on Thursday gave their final approval to a bill ending Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N) designation as a self-governing entity in an apparent response to its. Florida legislature passes bill repealing Disney special tax status In return, instead of Disney approaching the county planning department or going to the county staff for services, Disney essentially controls the district that it's in. Ron DeSantis battle with the Walt Disney Co. intensified after he pushed state lawmakers to strip the California-based entertainment giant of a special status that allows the company to essentially operate its own government in Central Florida. Opponents say it's simply censorship. David D. Stewart: Now, specifically talking about Disney's special tax district, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, when was it created? Go to them. Other than that, Hillsborough County and myself have no dog in that hunt.. "In recent weeks, the tensions heightened when Disney CEO Bob Chapek said he'd support the repeal of Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, a measure critics call 'Don't Say Gay,' " as NPR's Greg Allen reported. Its seven-member board includes five gubernatorial appointees, along with Tampas mayor and one Hillsborough County commissioner. Some local officials, including Orange County Mayor Jerry Deming expressed concern that assuming control of the district's assets might result in the need for additional taxes or tax increases. Disney also said in a statement after "Don't Say Gay" was signed into law that it "should never have passed and should never have been signed into law." DeSantis and Disney have been feuding for months over Floridas Parental Rights in Education bill. It can seize land via eminent domain even if the land falls outside the districts boundaries. Florida Gov. What is Disney's special tax district? The company later shifted its stance and announced that it would be pausing all political donations in Florida. What happens if Disney loses its special tax status in Florida? But the relationship between the two started to sour that same year after Disney took a stricter stance on preventing the spread of COVID-19, mandating its workers show proof of vaccination and its theme park guests continue to wear face coverings. Now Is the Time for Saudi Arabia To Join the Nuclear Ban Treaty, Why the U.S. Should Give Saudi Arabia Nuclear Technology, How Life Expectancy in Republican States Compares to Democratic Ones, Nursing Home Focus of Newsweek Investigation to Close Under Fed Pressure, Fed Rate Hike in July Is Likely For Three Reasons, How Donald Trump Plans to Fix the Housing Market, School Forced to Let Transgender Student Use Girls' Bathroom. Smerconish Link Copied! The governor has also weighed in on the battle over Twitter, vowing to take on the company's board of directors over their tussle with Elon Musk. The lawsuit was claiming that the dissolving of Reedy Creek will force local governments to raise taxes on the residents in those counties. But its sweeping changes wouldn't come into force until next summer, on June 1, 2023. Benjamin Valdez: The Reedy Creek Improvement District was created by lawmakers in the state in 1967 after Disney made a proposal to build a huge recreational site to contain Walt Disney World on roughly 25,000 acres of land on Orange and Osceola counties. https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-ron-desantis-florida-special-tax-11650919432. Disney will continue to pay taxes. So hearing that when the consequences of this hearing, that the property taxes for Orange County, for example, might have to go up 20% to 25% next year, nobody wants that. The change promises to shake up the local tax picture, according to Scott Randolph, a Democrat who is the Orange County tax collector. They got rid of the First Amendment allegation and they added a little bit more of a state-level context to it to hopefully take it to that level. PAPANTONIS: So everyone's looking at the two possible moves forward because we don't know how Disney is going to respond right now. DeSantis wants to end Disney World's special status in Florida The governor said the five board members include people who "very much want to see Disney be what Walt envisioned," implying. Accuracy and availability may vary. The fire district charges taxpayers to put out fires. What does the special district do for Disney? According to the Associated Press, the law left open the possibility that Disney's district and others also set to be dissolved could be reestablished with a reworked deal, though it was not immediately clear what such a deal would look like. Disney to lose special tax status for opposing Florida's 'don't say gay Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. The Reedy Creek Improvement District was established in 1967 four years before the first Disney theme park in Florida opened its gates. While Disney was silent as lawmakers debated the measure, the company voiced strong opposition after Florida approved the bill in March. On the other hand, I think a lot of the criticism, particularly from Democrats and some lobbyists during the special session, was directed at the rushed nature of the process and the fact that it appears as a reaction from the state to a company's opinion on legislation. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill stripping the Walt Disney Company of its special tax status in the Orlando . On Monday, Florida Gov. The growing rift deepened this spring, as DeSantis accused the entertainment giant of embracing "woke" viewpoints. Disney operates like its own county government in Florida but that could change, now that Gov. They're also going to have to take on all of the debt that the district currently has, the municipal bonds that it's been issuing or it has issued, to do the big projects like build a road.