A New Development in the Disney Court Case
The Disney court case happening now continues to make the news. What do you think of this latest development?
The Walt Disney Company vs. the State of Florida
The past year has been turbulent between the state of Florida and The Walt Disney Company. Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education Law in 2022.
The Walt Disney Company originally remained quiet surrounding this bill despite pleas from employees and fans for them to take an official stance. Tension built until then-CEO Bob Chapek denounced the bill, but many believed it was too little, too late.
The tension between the company and the state continued to worsen as state Republicans repealed the Reedy Creek Improvement Act of 1967.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.
Disney's Response
Tension continued to grow over time. It seems like every day we are hearing about something between the Walt Disney Company and Florida's Governor, Ron DeSantis.
While Disney seemed to remain pretty quiet during all of this, we finally saw a response in late April. Daniel M. Petrocelli, a high-powered Los Angeles litigator, filed complaints on Disney's behalf in federal court. You can read more about what the complaints said and more details in this post HERE.
Judge Disqualified
In the latest development of these proceedings, we are now learning that the Judge who was handling the case has now disqualified himself. In the case's Order on Disqualification, the Judge says that he is disqualifying himself because "a relative within the third degree" owns stock in Disney.
The Judge goes on to say, "Upon learning this information, I became obligated to engage in a separate inquiry pursuant to the Code of Conduct for United States Judges to determine if the financial interest of my third-degree relative "could be substantially affected by the outcome of [this] proceeding."
Chief United States District Judge, Mark Walker has disqualified himself from the case of WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS U.S., INC., vs. Ronald D. DeSantis
In a new filing, the case has been "reassigned to Judge, Allen C. Winsor for all further proceedings."
What do you think of the recent change in judges for this case? Let us know in the comments below or share this post with a friend who is following this case.
I agree that the judge did the right thing when he found out. Still, this all should have ended a long time ago and DeSantis should have stopped. He got butt-hurt and keeps needlessly pushing the issue.
True, but a lot of us ended up working there for a bit. Big turnaround.
I personally think this goes beyond Florida. Think if Florida & DeSantis wins, essentially giving any state governors (red state governors in particular) the power to retaliate and control all companies that simply disagree by voicing their opinion in what some would say are political issues. I would think big corporations ( especially those owned and operated by Dem/ progressive CEOs) to rethink of building new and relocating millions/billions that translate into state revenue. I think there is no way Disney loses this lawsuit.
I came to Florida 38 years ago, the reason, I visited Disney with my kids. I got to see the State and like it. Orlando was still a jungle, paying for most jobs 3.35 an hour, my hour salary. I know Disney is not perfect but people came to Florida to visit Disney. Suddenly other developers came and Florida continues growing. Orlando grew tremendously because of Disney. Open your eyes, do not let one person like De Santis destroy the State and the Freedom we have, we pay daily in many ways for it. The Constitution is a guide for it, but we constantly, fight and have to stand for it to preserve it. We are the people, save the State
AGREED
DeSantis has one mission … that everyone act like him and believe like him! He is bad for Florida and he would be horrible as a president
If you lived in Florida, you’d know DeSantis is in the wrong
we will start with the 21000000. the really sad thing is he got the money for the pandemic relief fund. he killed more people then any other state after the vaccine was given out. Now congress wants that money back so there goes your surplus. he is setting the publice schools system up to fail. He is trying to mix the state with the church. trying to lie to the kids and trying to get the people to hate groups of people because of who they are.
so you where someone that lived in central Florida before 1971. Did you work on fram? or .maybe you lived in the swamp right. Because if I remember that there was nothing in central Florida before Disney. swamp and orange Grove I think Orlando was a one signal town.. the airport was a air force base.
You not DeSantis has the right to violate Freedom of Speech. DeSantis is illegally retaliating. Federal Law is Supreme Law of the Land which means DeSantis is the wrong. And so are those that demand doing this.
The Judge did the right thing by recusing himself.
Amen to that
Amen. So glad Governor stands up against Bully Disney.
Es muy muy ignorante su apreciación, justamente Disney quería ( quiere) seguir desarrollando proyectos de miles de millones de Dolares, Disney ha sido un éxito siempre, los Floridianos y especialmente los que somos de Orlando agradecemos y tenemos una ciudad pujante y hermosa gracias a Disney, no están solos, nosotros apoyamos a Disney, De Santis es un pobre fracasado, geocéntrico , cabo su propia desgracia.
I've been waiting yrs to visit Disney World after a lifet tme of visiting Disneyland no more. I'll continue spending my money going to Disneyland.
I refuse to step foot in Florida and give them my
vacation $$ as long as Governor DeSantis is in office.
It’s important to know that Publix is the largest employer in Florida. Disney isn’t in the top ten employers in the state.
Florida was better off before Disney and it will be fine if they leave the state altogether
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out !
How many Floridians remember how close the race was when DeSantis won his first election ?
We were within a couple of percentage points of elections a Demorat
Please look carefully at what is reported.
Disney is having an financial problems. Billion dollars write downs. Families not enjoying the experience. Disney is trying to place these problem on the back and blame Florida for its problem. When you place your attention on 1% or less of the population and ignore business everything falls apart. I love Florida and the fact that we have someone governing us with good values and is looking out for our future generation.
I believe Ron DeSantis has a problem with his morality. Florida's lost their Freedoms since he's been in charge. The freedom's such as free speech has been taken from the people, the freedom to be who you are, to read and teach important points in a real world and in history.
This type of dictatorship can not be tolerated, especially in a presidential capacity. He's exactly like a child who has a tantrum when he doesn't get his way, and attacks when confronted.
Amen, I totally agree.
And when the "state" losses trillions in revenue what will the state say to the people about the tax hikes they will get. Hundreds of hotels in the area, restaurants, shopping centers around Disney would lose money.
Then tell the billions of adults and children that adores the Walt Disney World legacy and love to visit WDW whenever they can that we are stupid. Let's see who's downfall it will be. Keep drinking the kool-aid.
You mean the one that stayed open during the COVID lockdowns?
The reason florida has such a surplus is because of the money trump gave it from the covid funds. Florida is a welfare state. It lives off of the taxes of the rest of the country. It claims emergency funds before hurricanes hit (whether or not they will hit) it doe not return the money, rather it puts it in its "budget". So if said hurricane doesn't hit or does little or no damage, it keeps billions of tax payer dollars. It does not use this money anyway..it hits up insurance companies to cover damages and pockets that money. It scams. Then claims the "governor" is the best. Don't forget Disney and tourism. ;) welfare state.
Ummmm did you ever think that the reason he’s doing this is because the people of the state has told him what they like and what they don’t like Disney should not attack our children. We normally trust Disney with our kids, and now we’re finding out they are darker than we could’ve ever suspected.
That was for a new headquarters they were going to build. They were being transferred from main office in California.
Those people would then hire assistants , secretaries and many others. That usually happens when a headquarters is being moved.
I agree.
No we don't love our Governor. You love the governor. Insurance, housing and electric are through the roof and climbing. The Feds helped with that bridge, too.
Your stupidity will be your downfall. Just remember, it's not your state. All these states belong to all the people living in this country and you're going to learn that very fast.
If the judge was a corrupted DeSantis goon, he would've never disqualified himself. This is why the extremists are winning. They are taking advantage of our freedom and rights while we are all playing by the books acting like everything's okay.
Ron boy is spreading himself pretty thin here with the shopping of judges. Do you smell collusion here? Maybe, but I sense a deeper fear by the governor regarding his image to all the red necks and moneyed folks in our state and across the country. If doesn’t continue to pick this scab he created, it won’t iproject his wanna be tough guy image. Sad that we have to have this ultra conservative crap so active in our daily lives.
If you want freedom for the country then don’t foist yours on me.
Seriously?
We already have FREEDOM
You don't live here because if you did, you would know that the State's response to the hurricane recovery was remarkable. For example, they had the causeway to Sanibel Island (which took years to built) rebuilt in weeks.
All he's done for Florida is turn it into the fastest growing state in the nation with a booming economy and a 21.8 billion budget surplus. We love our Governor.
Are you from Florida? I suspect you are not; otherwise you would know that Disney is NOT the State's largest employer. You would also know that Florida's financial problems are not because of Florida (who actually kept WDW open when the rest of the world shit down their other parks, greatly benefitting Disney) but because of them making movies with questionable content that parents do not believe is appropriate in children's movies, therefore they didn't attend the movies (or buy the merchandise, etc). resulting in their last two major releases losing more than $300 million. Looks like the Little Mermaid will be joining them based on its opening weekend.
The state of Florida had a $21.8 billion budget surplus in 2022. Disney's accounts for $1.1 billion of that surplus. Disney's lay-offs will have NO impact on my or any other Florida resident taxes.
We love our Governor - best Governor in the nation. Under his leadership, Florida has become the fastest growing state with a booming economy, record low unemployment, and a record budget surplus of $21.8 BILLION. The rest of the country should be so lucky if he were elected President.
God help us if de santis were to become President...he'd ruin the whole country. Same with trump, it would be crazy to have him as President again. As much as I love our country, it still may be time for me to develop an escape plan.
How can this new judge be consider himself to be impartial. He is a member of the Federalist Party, is extremely conservative and has made many, many rulings against the gay population. In addition, He was appointed by Trump There is no way he should be presiding over this trial !
Disney already planned laying off people did you not see covid 19 how they layed off people disney was trying to get 2000 -2500 California's to come to Florida to work making our state even more woke there trying to harm our state .
You do know disney was trying to push over 2000 employees from California to Florida for work thus making our state more woke and corrupt
Trump and desantis 2024 baby
I HOPE FLORIDIANS GET WHAT THET DESERVE
I think this governor needs to put his state back together after all the trouble it's had from the horrible weather from the first time around and get prepared for the next time because it's here. I don't see him doing anything about this. What has he done for his state? I'm glad I don't live there.
You are SO RIGHT on the money. It’s time for Floridians to VOTE DeSantis out before it’s to late, and Florida is the 1st Authoritarian State of this Country l
I feel like there is so much more the governor should be working. I would like to see his plan for when Disney start laying off personnel. Who will pay those taxes if visitors are nor coming to fla. With there family to visit Disney. He will have to rise taxes to make up the loss. Come on de crazy find a better fight. One the state can win
Disney has always been known as the happiest place on earth for families. Ron DeSantis is trying to make it the most unhappiest place on earth. In the long run, the Disney employees will pay a price for the governors actions along with the tax income from the largest employer in the state. Governor DeSantis is using his power in a very negative way and I hope that he gets kicked to the curb for his abuse of power. In my opinion, he’s ruining the state of Florida. Sad. Always remember we are the people have the power of the vote.
Yes now Disney will get a DeSantis appointed Judge
I think the governor is judge shopping I hope the new judge is Honest
Why do you say New development? All developments are New.