By requesting an investigation into an agreement the Reedy Creek Improvement District board made with Disney, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) made it more difficult for the state to take over the district.
Before the state seized control of the district, DeSantis wrote that he wanted an inquiry into “any legal or ethical violations” made by the board.
Any “financial gain or benefit Walt Disney World gets from the district’s efforts” and “any financial gain or benefit Walt Disney World gets from the district’s efforts” will be considered, as will the board’s level of familiarity with the matter.
There will be an investigation into the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the legislation that altered the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange and Osceola counties, and the district itself, as well as any “board, employee, or agent communications” between the districts.
DeSantis’s office has stated that Disney is “again fighting to keep its special corporate benefits and get around Florida law,” but they will not “let that happen.”
The inquiry was initiated by then-Attorney General Ashley Moody, who requested public documents from the previous Reedy Creek Improvement District board members who had been nominated by Disney.
Records “discussing an intention or goal of avoiding, avoiding, frustrating, mitigating, or otherwise trying to avoid the effects of anticipated actions of the Florida Governor and Legislature” were among those requested in a letter that threatened criminal and civil penalties if they were not provided.
The previous board of the recently established Central Florida Tourism Oversight District struck an agreement with Disney last week, effectively neutering the new board. For DeSantis and the governor’s handpicked panel, this was a devastating defeat. The state decided to investigate because of this.
Since the contract was inked on February 8th, most board choices have to be approved by Walt Disney Company. The Magic Kingdom made sure the agreement wouldn’t last eternally by exchanging a monarch.
Until “21 years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III, King of England, who was alive on the date of this declaration,” Disney is guaranteed ownership of the territory that makes up the Walt Disney World Resort. (the so-called “King Charles clause”).
DeSantis administration officials have stated that the agreement is likely worthless and that all options, including congressional action, remain on the table.
While speaking at Disney’s annual shareholders meeting on Monday, CEO Bob Iger said that the governor’s attack on Disney for “exercising its constitutional right” was “really wrong.” Iger was referring to Disney’s opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Act last year under former CEO Bob Chapek.
Iger continued by saying that 13,000 new employment would be created at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida as a result of a $17 billion investment over the next decade.
Iger claimed that it would be detrimental to business and the state of Florida if these initiatives were halted due to Disney’s mindset.
Redevelopment efforts in Central Florida began after Disney opposed legislation that would have strengthened parents’ rights to make educational decisions for their children last year. Disney has been in complete control of the region since its opening in 1967.
Central Florida’s tourism board announced on Wednesday that it had brought in four out-of-town law firms to assist it terminate an agreement with the prior board.
During a campaign stop in Georgia on Thursday, DeSantis warned voters, “Now that the state is in charge, there are a lot of little back-and-forths going on, but you haven’t seen nothing yet.”
Florida’s Republican state legislators concur with the governor that they won’t back down in the Reedy Creek battle, but they are at a loss as to how to move the plan forward in the legislature.
Speaker of the state house and Republican Paul Renner said, “I don’t know about legislation, but I fully support the governor taking action. I think what’s happened is dishonest, to put it mildly.” I agree with him. The solution seems obvious to me.
Disney has responded, claiming there was no wrongdoing on its part in the company.
All deals made between Disney and the District were suitable and were debated and authorized in open, public venues in compliance with Florida’s Government in the Sunshine legislation, Disney said in a statement sent to the Washington Examiner on Thursday.