NEW: One State Hopes to Entice Disney as Tensions in Florida Rise

With ongoing pressures in Florida, one state hopes to attract Disney’s attention. What do you think of their offer?

Tensions in Florida

The past year has been turbulent between the state of Florida and The Walt Disney Company. The problem began when Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education Law in 2022. Disney’s then CEO, Bob Chapek, denounced the bill which started an avalanche of problems between Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, and the Walt Disney Company.

The tension between the company and the state continued worsen as state Republicans repealed the Reedy Creek Improvement Act of 1967. Essentially, the law states that Disney is its own governing body in the two cities and land within Orange and Osceola counties.

At a recent press conference, DeSantis shared that he is planning to announce even more measures against Disney World. The first was his plans to void the contract between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board (previously Reedy Creek Improvement District) and Disney World regarding Disney’s development rights for many, many years. Now, everything will be passed through the State Legislature.

Bob Iger Speaks Out

During a shareholder meeting, Bob Iger stated that although The Walt Disney Company did not handle the response to the Parental Rights in Education Law in the best way, he does feel that DeSantis is punishing the Walt Disney Company for practicing free speech.

Iger went on to share why the state of Florida needs the Walt Disney Company in their state. He shared statistics including the number of jobs that Disney provides, the number of domestic and international guests that visit Walt Disney World every year, and also their plans to invest in growing Walt Disney World in the near future.

This may not have made an impression on Governor DeSantis, but it did catch the attention of other state representatives.

Mickey’s Freedon Restoration Act

Today, North Carolina State Representative Senator Michael Garrett introduced a bill called “Mickey’s Freedom Restoration Act.” This bill addresses a quote from Disney CEO during the above-mentioned shareholder meeting. Iger called the actions taken by the state government of Florida “anti-business”.

The Senator Whereas, some state governments have recently begun to prioritize “culture war” politics over economic development; and Whereas, North Carolina has proven to be a stable and vibrant environment for businesses, both large and small, to flourish; and Whereas, the state government of North Carolina and its elected leaders from both political parties have prioritized economic development for the benefit of its citizens; and Whereas, North Carolina seeks to further strengthen its tourism and entertainment industries by welcoming businesses considering relocation; and Whereas, Bob Iger, the chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Company, called actions taken by the state government of Florida “anti-business,” on April 3, 2023[.]

The bill establishes the 11-member North Carolina Family Amusement Park Study Commission, with the purpose “to develop strategies that encourage family amusement parks (family parks) to locate in tier one counties” by the following strategies:

1. Studying and consulting major family parks outside of the State to determine (i) the amount of interest among family parks to expand into the State, (ii) the priorities of family parks when considering an expansion into a new state, and (iii) any other information relevant to developing a plan that recruits family parks and encourages them to expand into the State.
2. Coordinating with relevant State and local governments and agencies, including the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, to develop strategic economic incentive plans designed to encourage family parks to expand or relocate into the State.

You can check out a full outline of this bill here:

North Carolina State Sen. Michael Garrett has introduced a bill called "Mickey's Freedom Restoration Act," which is aimed at attracting theme park businesses to North Carolina, including Disney. pic.twitter.com/cFSs11Xgol

— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) April 19, 2023

It is true that Disney is not likely to relocate the entire Walt Disney World Resort to the Tarheel State, but it is an interesting development. If Disney continues to feel pressure from Florida, could they take funds once planned to expand Walt Disney World in favor of creating business in a more “business-minded” state?

Today, North Carolina State Representative, Senator Michael Garrett introduced a bill called “Mickey’s Freedom Restoration Act.”

What do you think of this new bill by the state of North Carolina? Do you think Disney may expand in different locations if they continue to feel pressure from the state of Florida? Do you think Governor DeSantis is “anti-business” as Iger claims? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

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