A New Update for the Disney vs DeSantis Battle
The ongoing conflict between The Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron Desantis has erupted into quite an event. Now, Disney has made a big move in the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District lawsuit.
Ongoing Conflict
The past year has been a turbulent one between the state of Florida and The Walt Disney Company. Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education Law in 2022. The Walt Disney Company initially 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.
The tension between the company and the state continued to worsen as state Republicans repealed the Reedy Creek Improvement Act of 1967. This brought big operational changes to the Walt Disney World resort.
Lawsuits
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. In fact, in April, Daniel M. Petrocelli, a high-powered Los Angeles litigator, filed complaints on Disney's behalf in federal court against Governor DeSantis.
The chief reasons for Disney filing this lawsuit included "A targeted campaign of government retaliation - orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney's protected speech - now threatens Disney's business, operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights." Of course, DeSantis has asked for a judge to dismiss the whole thing claiming that the Walt Disney Company's filing is "meritless."
Update on the CFTOD Lawsuit
There is also a lawsuit filed by the DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) against Disney to nullify agreements between the former Reedy Creek Tourism District and Disney. The agreement essentially transferred power from the Reedy Creek Tourism District to Disney prior to the district being dissolved.
DeSantis himself is not a party in this lawsuit. Disney has, unsurprisingly, motioned for it to be dismissed.
On July 14, 2023, Judge Margaret H Schreiber heard arguments from representatives for both Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) during an hour-long hearing pertaining to the motion for a dismissal of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District lawsuit against Disney. Essentially, Disney is arguing that the case is moot since Florida has already passed legislation (SB 1604) nullifying the agreement.
Disney has made an additional request in the event that the judge does not throw out the case. If the lawsuit is to continue, the request is that the case be put on pause until after Disney's federal case in Tallahassee against DeSantis, which was filed first, is resolved.
The CFTOD argues that the case is not moot. Moreover, it claims the federal lawsuit Disney filed was not properly served to the defendants; therefore, the claim is that the CFTOD suit against Disney was filed first.
After hearing the arguments, Schreiber ruled that the matter is now under advisement. The judge will take more time before making any final rulings. She also imposed a deadline of July 19, 2023, for both Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to submit competing orders as if the judge had ruled in each of their favors to the court for review.
Disney wants the judge to either dismiss the lawsuit or put a ruling on hold until after a ruling in the federal case has been made.
Although the judge put the July 19 deadline in place, she has not announced when she will make a ruling. So, it looks as if the legal battle will stretch on.
What are your thoughts on the various lawsuits involving the state of Florida and Disney? Let us know in the comments.
Agree with Cynthia’s intelligent comment.
"They are the largest employer in Florida and DO pay their fair share in taxes." No, they are not the largest employer in the state of Florida and this is proven false with a quick visit to Florida DEO. Publix is the largest employer in the state of Florida.
"I mean, it’s not like Florida has over 1800 special tax districts just like what Disney had" Actually Reedy Creek was exempted from the Special District Laws such as Florida Statute 190 / Uniform Special District Accountability Act of 1989. Universal Studios for example tried to apply for this same exemption but was rejected. Reedy Creek also was exempted from following Florida's building codes while the 1800+ special districts were not due to the nature of how their special district was designed.
"that the original legislation was specifically worded to solely dissolve just their district while leaving all of the other ones intact…" Actually no, the legislation dissolved 6 special districts that were exempted from Florida Statute 190 / Uniform Special District Accountability Act of 1989. The legislation targetted all special districts that were created before a specific date.
Wow! So you are what a troll sounds like! Are you as ugly as your actions and words too... or just ignorant?
Then, let’s do this to all of the special districts in Florida that run their own “country”? Really? Disney’s sweetheart deal was most likely because when it was built there was nothing close to it to help in an emergency. Nobody cares until DeSantis got his feelings hurt by a company that has the right to freedom of speech. They are the largest employer in Florida and DO pay their fair share in taxes. DeSantis is a troll and living under some warped Christian Nationalist ideology. How about those insurance rates in Florida? Yep, really doing us a favor.
What America doesn’t need is ignorant stupidity and vile creatures like you! Yeah that’s the ticket Bro so head on out of the USA and reside in say purgatory…….
You're right, I mean, it's not like Florida has over 1800 special tax districts just like what Disney had, or that the original legislation was specifically worded to solely dissolve just their district while leaving all of the other ones intact... Oh wait... That's exactly what happened. I guess that means that he is acting like a fascist.
Good! Let the meth heads have their stinking swamp. America doesn’t need Florida, Georgia, Alabama or any of these backwards swamp lizard states and their population of subhuman cretins who are little more than the American version of the Taliban. Frankly, I would be OK with civil war. Shooting a MAGA cap wearing fascist waving a confederate or Nazi flag would be a huge release of the contempt I have for the enemies of freedom and democracy who run around calling themselves “real Americans” they are treasonous trash and frankly Lincoln should have let Sherman do his thing. He had the right idea and saw these people for the scum they are
Why don't we let DeSantis keep going on beating on Disney until the move out. That way you and I can share the in paying the $230 million dollars in tax loss we currently get from Disney. Including in that financial loss is all the taxes people pay in their earnings by buying stuff and eating out and buying houses and paying property tax. Yes why don't we find out how that feels in this state! Because that sounds like an awful good idea to me how about you?
Shame on the big corporations and billionaires that don't pay taxes. Talk about selfish!! They would rather buy a 5th lavish home than pay for children's programs.
Oh, Phil. You don't even see the end of democracy, do you. They created a problem (citing "indoctrination"), then "fixed " it by banning all sorts of things. History shows that the bad guys are always the ones who do the banning.
Remember Desantis did not declare he was running until he had his controlled puppets legislators change the Florida law to let him stay governor.
The same way he won by fixing the districts his way , in his favor, not excepting the new districting the legislatures drew up. Forcing them to sign off what he wanted. Cheating right in our faces.
Disney got “ sweetheart deal in the 60’s because it helped rebuild Florida’s tourism so Florida benefitted immensely from Business not only by bringing tourism but by collecting taxes from Disney it was mutuall beneficial let’s not forget this
Everyone you don't like is a pedophile. What's the difference when you accuse others you disagree with?
Then why did your generation destroy our economy for short term rewards? Both left and right, believing you deserved it, stole their future and now blame our youth for what you Boomers have done. Then you have the nerve to call them "entitled".
“ You are EXACTLEY CORRECT Doug. He is trying very hard to do EXACTLEY as Hitler did!”
Winning by a landslide and fulfilling a campaign promises is a democracy, not hitler. Disney was granted a sweetheart deal in the 60’s that allowed them to operate as own country and immune from state laws and oversight a sweetheart deal no other business got and allieedw disney to get rich in the state. Its not acting as hitler to remove sweetheart deals that no one else in state enjoys. Nutty to think forcing disney to compete on level playing ground is seen as being Hitler. Lesson is if you are a business with a sweetheart deal in a state, maybe don’t flip off the people in the state like Hitler would do( DeSantis won by landslide campaigning on this).
What you said is true, but people prefer their party narrative instead of the facts.
“ your business or self can be his next victim ”
True, if your business is allowed to operate as its own government and immune from state laws and oversight ( like Disney’s sweetheart deal granted to it in the 60s), then you need to worry it might end too.
Yep, when the you get special privileges no other business gets, you do end up paying more taxes since you get loads of money from the privilege. I prefer Disney not be treated special even if means other businesses can step in and compete better against them (and earning and paying more taxes). The loss of revenue from Disney is not as important as fairness to other companies. Disney’s sweetheart deal should end.
I wish people would review the facts before commenting. Disney sued the state of Florida because Florida passed an age appropriate content bill for children and Disney wanted to be the decider of what other people's children could see and hear. The lies about this bill continue today. Nowhere does it say "Don't say Gay" and nowhere does it obstruct consenting adults from celebrating their sexuality. As is religion is left up to parents to teach or not teach their children so should morality be left to the parents. Indoctrinating children by outside forces is wrong.
You are EXACTLEY CORRECT Doug. He is trying very hard to do EXACTLEY as Hitler did!! EVERYONE should step back and see what he is pulling with thought that no one is looking. I would LOVE to see Disney pull up every stick of every building and move it out of Florida and then Floridians would see the mess that this mental midget has done! Sadly it very well will bring tourism down and destroy it all in Florida.
What so ever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me that applies to us all
I think DeSantis is obviously a bully and your business or self can be his next victim if you don’t do as he feels you should? So far it’s trans, and gays. As well as black history, immigrants and a woman’s right to choose. What it is really is if your not Catholic,male and White. Eventually your on the list. How about that new state military that the people are leaving before it even gets fully running.Why because they see it will be the strong arm of a Florida government army. Look it up. Listen to the way he speaks about woke as if it’s a person. I guess he hopes we are all asleep so he can step all over us.
You couldn't pay me to visit Florida right now and it's not the people but the Governor that's causing the problem He's hunting for headlines because he's floundering politically to quote a line from "an officer and a gentleman" Officers aren't like you and me they are some of the most uptight assholes god ever put on this green earth" Desantis fits that discription to a T
You are absolutely correct! He knew he was going to be running for President but still ran for Governor. Being governor is a full time job and deserves his full time attention. Instead DeSantis is doing a crappy job at both. Who gets paid a full time salary when they’re only doing a part time job. He ripping the citizens of Florida off!
Like the origin story of most villains, little Ronny got his feelings hurt and went postal. Disney publicly disagreed with his lame anti-human pronouncement, so Ronny avenged his hurt feelings by detonating everything for everyone. Yes, the happiest place on earth must be destroyed because one self righteous dolt can't handle a tiny ego ding. Sound familiar? Is this the best we can do for POTUS candidates these days. Just old farts and/or schoolyard bullies or both. Is this really the best we can do America?
How about you sneeze into your elbow like a normal person and not disrespectfully in someone's face?
Walt Disney world doesn’t get a free rides. Five minutes they pay over $1 billion in taxes every year. And if they didn’t produce Texas, the citizens of Osceola and Orange County would be stuck with the tax bills.
Traffic conditions would definitely improve. The Traffic is horrible. No more long lines.
Perfectly stated.
I used to live in Ft. Lauderdale and since then have visited there two or three times a year. Will no longer do that until he is gone. The man is ruining the state.
if they are largest taxpayer in florida then how is it also a free ride....who do you think will pick up slack if they leave...duh
I'm wondering what would happen if Disney pack up and left Florida and what would happen if out of State people stop going to Florida because of the Governor???
Bill, to repeat right wing extremist talking points about Disney not being family friendly is a bizarre statement. It's also proof that you've been watching waaay to much Fox "entertainment" News. It's bad for your mental health and the health of America.
Bye Felicia!
C'mon Dopey's much better looking, and smarter too.
Yes! What he is doing is an abuse of power.
I think DeSantis overstepped and is punishing Disney for their free speech. I don’t care if you don’t like LGBQ people, this is more about our freedom being impinged upon. I say, if you don’t like Disneys stance, don’t go to Disney. It just leaves more room for the rest of us!
Exactly what free ride is Disney getting in FL? The Reedy Creek District is not a tax write-off. Reedy Creek was originally formed to keep the burden of the tax load from building all the infrastructure and services from building Disney World off of the taxpayers. Disney World was built in a swamp. There was no power, water, roads, sewage, or anything when they built Disney World, and tax payers would have been on the hook for a billion dollars in the 60's for all of that. Ever since then, Disney has paid a billion dollars a year in taxes to the districtfor up keep and maintenance for all of that, plus for road improvements, signage, and new infrastructure like solar farms, cast member housing, a water treatment plant, mosquito control, and the Reedy Creek Fire Department (who the CFTOD still hasn't given new contracts they promised.) If Disney stopped paying taxes to CFTOD, the people of two counties would be on the hook for over a belong dollars in taxes every year. That's hardly a free ride. Maybe you talk to Dictator Desantis who gives tax breaks to other corporations to get them to come to FL. This act, TCJA temporarily allows 100% expensing for business property acquired and placed in service after Sept. 27, 2017 and before Jan. 1, 2023. That means the purchase or aqusition of property that could cost in the millions would be written off as an expense at 100% up until 1 Jan 2023. This happens to cover the period that Desantis was organizing his takeover of Reedy Creek, and possibly trying to aquire Disney's 23,000 acres of property in a prime location.
I agree 100%. Our kids, the next generation, are much too important!
Tell me which you would prefer. Me sneezing in your face with or without a mask?
The people at poverty level in this country are still wealthy by comparison to many in some African countries. And they have starving children too.
Mask work. Quit spreading stupidity. Yes, they are not 100%, but that doesn't mean they don't work. Condoms are not 100% either, but would you say they don't work? And mask only work if you cover both your nose and mouth. But there is also a possibility of getting contamination in the eye if someone without a mask sneezes in your vicinity. In that case?, the mask won't work. But your chances were far better with a mask of not catching COVID at it's height.
DICTATOR
If DeSantis becomes president, the world will see a new “Hitler”.
They are not promoting...they are including a marginalized, devalued group of humans...unfortunate that a governor who is to serve ALL citizens has chosen to demonize humans he and a handful of supporters are not in agreement with on moral values ...last I looked, separation of church and state remains for now.
DeSantis leave Disney alone. They bring the most revenue and jobs into the state and you are creating such a mess and making it all a political bullying stunt. Just Stop It!
The mask were/are not fallacy they aid in protection Everyone has a right to voice an opinion and not be punished by an ELECTED OFFICIAL the Governor is like the really far right but the really far right is really wrong If he’s allowed to get away with this what will he do next Jail people just because they believe Differently only God has this right not you
Spot on.
I agree!
Yeah when they leave, all your taxes will go up higher than Desantis has made them. He's not helping Florida, Disney is. They are the largest employers of your state dummy
Then look forward to paying 10x's the taxes you pay now! Then since you're such a lil' Ronnie lover I hope none of your children EVER come out to you because their are atleast one of us in EVERY FAMILY THAT YOU STRAIGHT COUPLES CREATE, by the way, and Ronnie will destroy their lives with his all so loving nazi laws that you defend! Have a great life in the state of Nazi Florida!
Why not LGBTQ+ Will not Rub off on you Judge your Brethren not those outside your Faith Love is necessary so people will want what you have Hated will not win
So you have no thoughts of your own? Just keep repeating the tax lie. They pay more taxes than trump or DeSantis. The villages gets special Rax treatment, why is he not going after them? Oh wait, it's because they kiss his ass
Douche-santis is a FRAUD and a BULLY...
Come out of the closet Ronnie!!!
totally agree
Disney should continue to fight & file lawsuits against DeSantis & the Florida Senate & House for everything from violations of the 1st Amendment to abuse of power to threats & intimidation for exercising their rights as a corporation for free speech. DeSantis, the Senate & House, and handpicked "judiciary" has declared war on ANYONE and ANY ORGANIZATION that opposes them. That is NOT democracy and should be fought all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Maybe, but not by this double dealing, underhanded piece of work who is only trying to lay the groundwork to become the King of the USA!
Can you explain the free ride Disney received? I know they pay about 1 Billion in taxes per year and they employ a huge amount of Floridians.
DeSantis is a thug, this kind of attack on business and free speech must be stopped. Benito Mussolini started out this way, it needs to be curtailed immediately.
Actually, the “Science” is that mask mandates don’t work because people won’t follow them. The masks themselves (N95, etc.) work just fine
I think the SEC should investigate all DIS stock transactions of significant size beginning 6 months prior to DeSantis's actions re Disney.
Primarily shorting, options puts, any financial brokerage/bank/hedge fund, etc.
along with any positive recommendations which may have been being made at the same time to stimulate buying by retail investors. Also any sizable contributions to his campaigns for governor or president.
Following the money often uncovers the "logic" behind what appears to be illogical political moves. A good example was the Iraq War and the excessive profiteering by the oil and military industrial complexes.
We are barbaric and participate in human sacrifice of our young and naive men and women of the armed forces...not to the mythicological gods but our REAL GODS....money and billionaires. Only education of what we are really all about could possibly be the solution and the wrong right wing wants to burn books like the Nazis of the thirties.
why wouldn't Disney defend it's workers who are LGBTQ?
Disney needs not to promote LGBTQ.i won't step foot in that place.and pay your taxes.
Move!
Where does it say that
He'll get buried in the Presidential elections and then Floridians will bury him too!
No, like other Trump/DeSantiis, you say sinething untrue over and over with ZERO evidence and try to make people believe it's true. Look at all the FL taxpayers that say the exact opposite as you . Speak for yourself not the honest people of FL!
You think the taxpayers of Florida are fed up with Disney?! (Btw Disney is a tax payer) And Free ride? Disney is the highest tax contributor by far in Florida. Who’s going to cover that short fall if Disney packs up their ball and bat and goes home. All the other taxpayers
Weird considering descant is has allowed property tax I. The state to become untenable for most. It’s jumped about $1500 for the average citizen in the last year. But Disney is much more important to prove a point.
Such a dangerous, self-absorbed loser..now where have we seen that recently?
Spot on...what a little, vindictive and pathetic excuse for a governor. And now his latest Romper Room hizzy fit has him screwing with FAU's president search. More of Trump with him, only trying to be even further to an extreme. I hope Disney uses every one of its vast resources to pulverize DeSantis. Can you even phantom the repercussions if Disney is ruled against for just voicing an opinion???? Saddest thing is that we in FL are still saddled with DeSantis when he crawls meekly away from losing on the national level.
I think that DeSantis is a putz. I hope he and Trump crawl into the same hole and disappear.
I think Disney should leave Florida, that will show everyone! NC is waiting for Disney to move right in! We even passed the Mouse incentive to entice them to do so. We would treat Disney right! Think of it, better temperatures, easier access for several more states, deeper pockets and a Governor that will love them. Come Disney, come, our arms are stretched and hands open!
Wow. Talk about going off tangent. Masks?! Really?! Now back to the actual story and why DuhSantis is acting like Fidel Castro by acting like a tin pot dictator. So the Constitution means nothing to you being the 1st Amendment is a nonsequitur in your eyes.
Absolutely true
DeSantis is a want a be trump and they both are rotten to the core. I wish Disney could pull out of Fla and then see what the right wing nuts would do. Can u say big tax increase?
Have you not read the "science" on masks etc now? They don't work. It was fallacy and there is proof.
Now as far as Disney hoes, yes he has gone overboard but also Disney should have stayed out of it. Individually those who work there could have gathered and spoken out but not as a company as it disenfranchised half of their guests. They could have spoken with their pocketbook and not supported him
Well, that's a straight up lie. "In a timid way"? They told DeSantis they would "fight" the law. That's not the same as just saying you don't agree with it. Disney is all in on the grooming of children. Just look at their pathetic movies and shows that are losing them millions.
This so called governor is a disgrace to Florida and the people who live here. He is a monster.
RonnieD looks like Dopey of the 7 dwarfs
Someone needs to bring back your sanity. Bruce.
Get your facts straight. Check the taxes Disney pays and what a special district in Fl really means, we have 1800 of them. Non natives opinions of what they don’t know anything about - pfft
That’s the thing… no a government does not paddle a company for disagreeing… that’s fascism. Look it up! He’s done the same to others in Fl. RonnieD is a petty little vindictive man. Vote him gone.
DE Santis needs to be DE Throned. His mind is warped like other dictators throughout history. I live in FL and am afraid and disgusted. Been here 50 yrs and don't recognize my state.
...and DeSantis wants to make the USA Florida... bwahahahaha
For what free speech? Racism isn't even an issue. Agree to disagree doesn't include trying to take down a company that doesn't like a law passed by the government. Disney provides employment for many people in the state and pay high taxes to the state. CUT YOUR NOSE DISPITE YOUR FACE. DESANTIS is turning Florida into a fascist state. You keep him America doesn't need a dictator.
And if this is how he will rule as governor, I'm not looking forward to him as Majest- I mean President.
Desantass is the dictator of a banana republic and he'll do the same to America.
......with all the really serious issues facing our world ....DISNEY IS TOTALLY UNIMPORTANT ...it is a money pit for dollars which are....without a doubt...needed elsewhere...we still in 2023 have children in the USA that go to sleep hungry...think about that the next time you spend the huge amounts of money that Disney charges for your selfish wants ...SHAME ON YOU!!!
DeSante is looking out for the every day tax paying citizens of Florida who don't get a free ride like Disney. If Disney doesn't like their free ride in Florida...they can go elsewhere. Time for them to go...Good riddens!
Great...don't come back....people like you are the problem....Disney has had a free ride long enough...taxpayers in Florida are fed up!
Disney spoke out against a law they disagreed with, in a very timid way. The State of Florida responded by passing an unconstitutional bill to take away Disney’s roads, sewer systems, and fire department, and put them all under the control of partisan DrSantis campaign donors.
The message is very clear: If you stop donating to Ron DeSantis, he will use the full power of the State to punish you. It is the very definition of weaponizing the legislative process.
Bill, lay down and let the adults talk! This is about Desantis weaponizing his rubber stamp state legislature!
My family has visited Florida many times over the last 40 years and spent our hard earned vacation dollars there, but, as long as Florida and its' Floridians are in thrall of its' dictator, we will not be back. Bye Mickey. Good luck!
My concern is if he can do this to Disney. What can he do to the little man that pisses him off.
So sad that whenever you don't agree with someone, they're automatically racist. That is totally un-American. In this great country we agree to disagree.
In this case, disney is not the family friendly organization that Walt built and deserve to get their butts paddled
Ron the Racist Desantis is liar, cheater, an all above. He thinks he's God theres only 1 Desantis an your not it. Please understand what your doing 2 Florida it will come back on you. Did you 4 get your wife has a deadly illness inside her. Also you have kids thy may grow up GAY OR BRING HOME A BLACK MAN OR WOMAN. BE CAREFUL. Are you goung 2 dis own them.You just like that other Racist Trump 2 of a kind. Nobody likes you...
It is clear that DeSantis is playing politics against the Disney Corp. and the people of Florida. He should be censured and taken out of office.
You are so right, just seeing the nasty laws against good artistic unique people. Florida is a state to avoid like the plague.
Sanity? Desantis is a bigoted, racist fascist.
Fascist desatan needs to drop dead.
Goodbye Disney, hello State Income Tax
DeSantis is trying to bring sanity back to Florida and this country. Amen and keep on doing what you are doing Governor !!!!
What is with DeSantis? He's taking over our parenting, (no masks-with Covid, making choices of what should be taught in school). He's leading us to believe in prejudice. People are people, it doesn't matter what color or race!! I'm so tired of hearing about walls!! As for Disney...I guess he never heard of "FREEDOM OF SPEECH!" What's up with tha? What about the residents in Florida? I guess I was thinking incorrectly!!
Desantis is a bully and a fraud . With an ego as big as trump , and is more dangerous than trump due to intelligence. He has put florida right down the toilet, but what I don't understand , is floridians. The fact that they support a dictator Wana be.That tells me something about them .And I've seen it for myself, I've recently moved to Florida and I have to say I haven't met many normal, nice ,friendly people. They have a bad attitude and I can see how they are just like him . Well the rest of the country is not like florida ,I can tell you that.This state is so corrupt. Desantis will destroy florida and he would destroy the country if given the chance. God help us
I believe DeSantis should act like a adult instead of acting like a child and or the Disney cartoon character he very much resembles Mickey Mouse . Sorry Mickey your much more mature n certainly a handsome versus DeSantis FL rat !
DeSantis is so fat over reaching what politicians should be doing. He is turning Florida into a military state and wants to do it with our country. Taking rights away from individuals and publicly devalue different sets of people. He is not God and he needs to quit acti g like it. His judgment of others is just as wrong as what he says others do. He may need to read the Bible again cuz I think there's a quote there that says"thall shalt not judge".
Let’s be done with all of this already and continue with Walt’s dream. Let the man rest.
Thank you for reading.
They really do keep stretching this whole thing out, don’t they?