Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is going after Disney again, trying to prove he’s a tough guy. He is angry at Disney because the corporation—Florida’s largest employer—issued a statement opposing the Governor’s “Don’t Say Gay” law.
First, DeSantis retaliated by dissolving the Reedy Creek District, a special self-governing district controlled by Disney, which supplies all services to Disney’s theme park. DeSantis created a new board called the Central Florida Oversight District Board of Supervisors to oversee the district, packed with his cronies.
But before the legislation passed, Disney quietly held public meetings and granted its district decades of future control.
Outraged, DeSantis threatened to increase hotel taxes and put tolls on the roads to Disney. He also told the State Attorney General to investigate Disney. Not a nice way to treat the state’s biggest employer.
Now he is wreaking vengeance again:
The Disney versus DeSantis fight headed into round three on Monday as Florida’s governor announced that the Florida Legislature will revoke the last-minute development agreements that undercut the authority of the governor-controlled board and unleashed a litany of retributive efforts aimed at to the powerful corporation.
“We want to make sure that that Disney lives under the same laws as everybody else,’’ said Gov. Ron DeSantis at the headquarters of the Reedy Creek Improvement District near Orlando.
DeSantis said he has authorized state agencies to increase regulatory oversight over Disney operations, such as the monorail and amusement rides. He suggested the DeSantis-controlled oversight board could use undeveloped land not owned by Disney for other purposes.
“Maybe create a state park, maybe try to do more amusement parks,’’ he said. “Someone even said like, maybe you need another state prison. Who knows? I mean, I just think that the possibilities are endless.”
The announcement comes two days before the newly-named Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s Board of Supervisors is scheduled to review a new proposal to strengthen its authority over planning, zoning and land development regulations for the special taxing district that operates the 39-square-mile property on which Walt Disney World exists.
DeSantis must be terrifying every big corporation in the nation. This is a guy who puts his nose into corporate governance; he is also hostile to corporations that embrace equity, diversity and inclusion programs and environmental policies.
His desire to exercise political control over private corporations will not win new friends for him except his yahoo base.
Reblogged this on dean ramser.
“Let’s see… do I want to make an amusement park or a prison? That’s a tough one! What to do, what to do…?
Careful-What-You-Wish-For Dept.: “I wish, I wish, I wish… T isn’t the 2024 Republican nominee.”
Oops.
Yeah, I don’t give this much of a chance. If he pulls this stunt Disney will finally remind the federal courts that there is a First Amendment.
DeSantis has a problem with perseveration, which usually applies to people on the spectrum. I think he is on the dictator spectrum. He always has to be seen as a “winner,” and he refuses to let things go or compromise. He is willing to go down an expensive rabbit hole and drag the entire state with him than make a deal. This man is a tinpot despot.
retired teacher, “the dictator spectrum”—so apt!
I don’t think corporations will be terrified of Dangerously Deranged Despot DeSantis. Angry maybe, headed to court maybe, but not terrified. When it comes to campaign contributions, corporations and billionaires that hate fascism, even some real conservatives, will not be donating to his campaigns and the campaigns of DDDD’s fascist loving allies.
I think DDDD is committing political suicide. Unless he changes Florida’s constitution, he can’t run again for governor without taking four years off.
Let’s wait and see what the voters do in Florida to learn if the majority that vote are also fascist lovers. DDDD unleashed his inner narcisist psycho fascist after he won re-election last year.
In 2024, will Florida’s voters turn the state blue or vote to become a military ally of Russia and North Korea?
“Throughout the world, there are five Disneyland® Resort theme parks, and they all are unique. Disneyland® Resorts for many people represent more than just rides and entertainment; they also help people to relive their childhoods.”
Florida is just one state. Disneyland is in California and other countries, including Shanghai, China.
“Walt Disney Studios The Disney corporate headquarters, located at the corner of Buena Vista and Alameda in Burbank, California, at 500 South Buena Vista Street. Built in 1940, the Studio covers 44 acres.”
“The Walt Disney Studios encompasses Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm Animation, Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios, 20th Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.”
And, the Disney Channel has about 190 million Americans and global homes as subscribers.
I think DDDD’s fascist ego bit off way more than he can chew and eventually Disney will destroy his future political career.
I would imagine that companies looking to move to FLA might be second guessing their decisions. What company wants to have that petty dictator in their boardroom?
Or in their bedroom
Mathman, if DeSantis decides your company is too woke, he will try to drive it into the ground.
Sadly, many boardrooms have petty dictators, not just political ones. (Or spineless tools like Paul Ryan.)
Many bedrooms also have “petty” dictators.
Rhonda Santis is wreaking and reeking vengeance.
Not a great look. Even with the white boots.
One would think Disney has the digital resources and talent available to make the Lincoln Project look like armatures.
The question is only their willingness to go to war.
The problem for progressives is how to do it without attacking those same marginalized groups we are defending (ie. Ronda and his White boots .) It is the same problem we face on many social issues every time one of these gaslighting dirt bags is caught.
I personally think Disney is loving this. It’s a no-lose situation for them. Other states are more than willing to give them all they want if they move from Florida, and that creates more leverage for them to stay.
I would not be so sanguine. The value of Disney World is in the billions, which even in these days is a lot. And it’s not like it’s portable.
And don’t forget as well that the Supreme Court has its eyes on the First Amendment, which is how, if it comes to litigation, Disney can resist DeSantis.
Disney has too much invested in Florida to leave and DeSatan knows it
amateurs / Time to put on the glasses before i click a spell check
Spell check doesn’t include proper usage.
GregB
Unfortunately most of the States that are warm enough to host year round resorts are just as revolting.
Joel
I thought you were referring to “armature experts” (experts in electric motor repair)
I think Rhonda and her white boots (stand back, Nancy Sinatra) is hilarious because of DeSatan’s homophobia and transphobia. And if I thought that making reference to these was some sort of attack on marginalized groups, I definitely wouldn’t do it. Ofc.
jr, your faith in the legal system actually working as designed is touching! Gives me the same feeling an old TCM does.
AOutraged, DeSantis threatened to increase hotel taxes and put tolls on the roads to Disney. He
Trolls on the roads might be better.
Ron could be one of them.
And Trump another.
Such vicious trolls would definitely deter me!
If I saw Desantis or Trump under a bridge, I’d definitely look for another bridge (or consider boating or even swimming across the river)
Who’s trip trapping
Over my bill?
I’ll blow my top,
You bet I will.
And when I’m done,
All shall be free
To speak and think
And act like me.
Whose trolls these are,
I think I know
His house is in Tallahassee, though
Love that, SDP!
lol
He really needs some lessons in Despotism 101.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/disney-desantis-attack_n_643d72fae4b06695059b9bd9
Is DeSantis trying to encourage people to visit CA Disney park instead of FL?
•Did he miss Biden’s SOTU comment re resort taxes?
•Tolls won’t be popular w Floridians who get annual pass to Disney.
•Why vacation in a state that now has permitless concealed carry?
Booklady,
As long as Florida has DeSantis and permitless carry for guns, avoid Florida.
We know Elmer Fudd is, but do you suppose Mickey and Donald (Duck,not Trump) are also packing heat?
Florida is the type of place that DeSantis’s inner circle enjoys i.e. Matt Gaetz and Kent Stermon. Allegedly, the latter’s attempt at a hush payment failed, wasn’t accepted by the girl’s father.
Republican morality- Stermon was appointed to the Board of Governors which oversees the public universities.
Such a tiny, narrow, crabbed, backward, provincial, vindictive, nasty little man
And then there’s Ron .
DeFascist is as obsessed with Mickey Mouse as Russia RepubliQans are with genitals and uteri. What a weirdo.
Mickey built a bigger mouse trap which proves he’s smarter. I guess that’s what bothers him the most!!!
Did I hear someone say Fasicist on the horizon? Imagine what a Disantimonious Presidency would look like for businesses, nationally.
118th Congressional Republican Endorsements
Trump, 45, DeSantis, 3, Haley, 1