On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that the state legislature will propose legislation to revoke a deal inked by Walt Disney Co to avoid state control of its parks, escalating the conflict between a potential presidential contender and one of the state’s most important employers.
DeSantis said that the legislature would void Disney’s development agreement with existing oversight board members, which binds his nominations.
“They thought they could create some type of development agreement that would render everything we did null and void,” DeSantis said. “Not happening.”
The governor started pursuing Disney a year ago when then-CEO Bob Chapek rejected the Parental Rights in Education Act, widely known as the “Don’t say gay” bill.
For more than 50 years, DeSantis and the Florida legislature have sought to destroy Walt Disney World’s virtual autonomy. Disney employs 75,000 people from the state.
DeSantis has talked about his struggle against “woke Disney” as he bids for president in 2024.
DeSantis was given extensive control over a board that regulates municipal services and development in a central Florida special district that encompasses Walt Disney World in February by Florida lawmakers.
Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, called it “anti-business” and “anti-Florida.”
Before DeSantis appointees came to office, Disney modified the special tax district arrangement, restricting the board’s authority for decades.
An attorney for the newly established Central Florida Tourism Oversight District called the deal “shocking” last month since it was agreed upon three weeks before DeSantis signed legislation giving the state power over the district.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” lawyer Daniel Langley remarked on March 29. “The timing, circumstances, and terms of the (development agreement) showed that the intent… was to circumvent this district’s enabling act and bind this board and future boards.”
A 10-year comprehensive plan was formed on July 15, 2022, to guide future progress. Disney has the capacity to construct a fifth major theme park, two minor parks, one million square feet of retail space, and 14,000 hotel rooms.
It also ensures future boards’ commitment to $527 million in capital improvements to support Walt Disney World’s growth over the next decade.
The agreement would be in force until the death of the last descendant of King Charles III, King of England, 21 years after his death, a legal requirement used in contracts to maintain a right.
