The move, which was supported by Republicans, renamed the district the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and granted DeSantis the power to appoint members of a new five-person oversight board.
This power was previously held by Disney. At the bill-signing ceremony, DeSantis said that "there's a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day." Disney must now comply with state regulations within the district, where it had previously enjoyed near-autonomy for decades.
February 28, 2023
Despite DeSantis and other Republican officials initially calling for the district to be dissolved entirely, the finalized bill has kept the district intact. The bill's signing comes after a months-long feud between DeSantis and Disney.
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February 28, 2023
The company and its former CEO, Bob Chapek, had publicly lobbied against Florida's Parental Rights in Education law, which bars teachers from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation with students below fourth grade.
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Under the previous arrangement, Disney had the ability to levy taxes, issue bonds, and control public services such as police and fire departments. The company could even have built its own nuclear power plant within the district if it had chosen to do so.
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However, under the new law, Disney will lose control over the district, which it had effectively governed as a state-within-a-state. The changes will not result in any additional tax burden for Floridians, according to DeSantis. The overhaul will not affect the district's existing financial structures and debt obligations, which Disney will continue to honor.
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The move marks another setback for Disney, which is already undergoing a cost-cutting plan that includes 7,000 layoffs. The company is also facing criticism from corporate staffers over CEO Bob Iger's mandate that they return to the office at least four days per week.
DeSantis's campaign against Disney is seen as a political victory for him, and it has helped to raise his national profile ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The governor has gained popularity within the Republican party for his crusade against "woke" ideology in business, culture, and education. While he is considered a front-runner for the GOP's nomination, he has yet to announce his candidacy formally.
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