Disney is once again caught in the crosshairs as it faces opposition from the Republicans in Florida who have threatened to revoke its “special status” as the company recently announced its opposition to the “Parental Rights in Education Bill,” which is also referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that was recently passed by the legislature in the Sunshine State. Earlier, progressives employees in Disney as well as some of its customers were angry with Disney for not doing enough to stop the same bill from being passed in the state or to repeal it.
Florida Rep. Spencer Roach tweeted that lawmakers in the state had held two meetings this week. They had discussed the possibility of revoking the Reedy Creek Improvement Act. This act that was implemented from 1967 gave Disney the authority to “act as its own government.” There are 19 large landowners in the district, in which Disney World is the largest.
It can oversee land use, provide essential public services, operate as well as maintain public roads and bridges. The district has a 19 member governing body which implements the above decisions. This is a common practice in the Sunshine State. There are over 600 community development districts in the state which manage and pay for infrastructure required in new communities. If Disney loses its special status, Orange and Osceola counties will oversee its services.
Recently, Disney employees and customers had agitated against the company’s earlier inaction against the bill with protests and walkouts. CEO Bob Chapek met and spoke to governor Ron DeSantis, who went ahead and signed the bill. After the signing, Disney released a statement saying that the company’s goal was that the law should be “repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts.”
Gov. DeSantis accused Disney of dishonesty and hypocrisy. He also pointed out that Disney Cruises dock at the Dominican Republic. This country bans gay marriages and also discriminates against gay people.
Image Wikimedia
Yesterday was the 2nd meeting in a week w/fellow legislators to discuss a repeal of the 1967 Reedy Creek Improvement Act, which allows Disney to act as its own government. If Disney wants to embrace woke ideology, it seems fitting that they should be regulated by Orange County. pic.twitter.com/6sj29Gj6Wz
– SpencerRoach (@SpencerRoachFL) March 30, 2022
