Photo: Alamy
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday, officially ending Walt Disney World’s self-governing status by revoking the company’s decades-long autonomy and special privileges in the Sunshine State.
During a special signing event in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, the governor signed House Bill 9-B, giving another fatal blow to Disney’s autonomy status by revoking its control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, ending the company’s self-governing status, and establishing a state-controlled board to oversee the district, according to a press release.
Axios reported that Reedy Creek Improvement District now renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, will be under the supervision of a five-person board committee handpicked by the governor and awaiting Senate approval.
“Allowing a corporation to control its own government is bad policy, especially when the corporation makes decisions that impact an entire region,” DeSantis said. “This legislation ends Disney’s self-governing status, makes Disney live under the same laws as everybody else, and ensures that Disney pays its debts and fair share of taxes.”
Among ending Disney’s nearly 60-year control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the legislation ends the company’s exemption from the Florida Building Code, the Florida Fire Prevention Code, and from state regulatory reviews and approvals, the press release adds.
The bill also actively terminates “Disney’s secrecy by ensuring transparency” and orders the company to pay “its fair share of taxes,” said the governor.
The historic signing is representative of the strained relationship between Disney and the governing body of the state after Disney aggressively pushed back on Parental Rights in Education law, falsely coined by the mainstream media as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, implemented last year, per RSBN. The legislation prohibits sexual instruction between pre-k and third grade.
“The corporate kingdom finally comes to an end,” DeSantis affirmed Monday. “There’s a new sheriff in town and accountability will be the order of the day.”