Big Price Tag for the DeSantis vs. Disney Battle
The DeSantis vs. Disney battle continues and will now cost the taxpayers a lot of money. Do you think this is worth it?
DeSantis vs. Disney
Over the past year, the feud between Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney has been quite dramatic. If you need to catch up on what is going on, here is some reading material for you. Disney sued DeSantis in federal court with claims that DeSantis is punishing the Walt Disney Company for practicing free speech. You can get up to speed on the federal case HERE.
Most recently, DeSantis claimed that no one has made more money for Disney than himself. Followed by the removal of employee benefits, which the CFTOD claims was simply a "scheme" by Disney to funnel taxpayer money back to its own company.
New Budget Revealed
This morning the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District held a board meeting. During this meeting, the board reviewed what has been spent on the current feud between DeSantis and Disney.
Glen Gilzean, the board administrator, shared that in 2023 their "Disney-induced" expenses is over $2 million so far. This is a rather staggering number, but this is really only just getting started. The CFTOD now proposes a budget of over $5 million for the 2024 financial year just for what is referred to as "Disney-induced expenses."
The proposed budget includes $70,000 for a financial advisor, $250,000 for governance policies, $4,500,000 for litigation, and $250,000 for the Carlton Fields law firm.
This 4.5 million dollars in litigation fees is quite staggering. Many claim that the Walt Disney Company received special treatment and tax breaks in the past. But Disney CEO called this hypocrisy as there are about 2,000 special districts in the state of Florida. It seems that this is a high price for this district to absorb when there are many other special districts still in operation.
The CFTOD now proposes a budget of over $5 million for the 2024 financial year just for what is referred to as "Disney-induced expenses."
What do you think of the battle? Do you think the battle is justified or is this now costing the district too much? Share your thoughts with us.
I thinks it’s horrible for DeSantis to ruin Disney World. The children enjoy that special place.
The district has already found $2.5 million. Of taxpayer money reedy Creek "Potentially illegally paid Disney. That's half a million dollars in savings without counting all the extra money they were spending to make sure they were using DEI vendors.
Yes! And how about he foot his presidential campaign with true donation funds not stolen Florida tax players dollars!
Obviously, you have no idea on what you're talking about, Disney paid 1.1 billion dollars last year in taxes ALONE! Everyone knows it except you!
Disney is downsizing they already decided on not building 15 million dollars office complex that was originally slated for groundbreaking this year!
I stand behind Disney! Look upthe shenanigans of Desantan aka Desantus!
He is NOT paying his own legal fees and neither are the others named in lawsuits, that is being bought and paid for by the citizens of Florida!
Disney didn't vocalize a political belief as much as they are supporting their customers and employees that are LGBTQ, maybe the dick governor shouldn't try to run their businesses. It goes both ways. Freedom of speech is a right no matter who is voicing their opinions. Dicsantis just didn't like their statement and is retaliating. He's done many other things to that should get him recalled. He will never be president.
This governor got to go I say impeach him running around country on tax payer money Disney is the best be going for 30 years
Dude disney has paid over 1.1 billion in taxes they've paid more than any other company has
The district existed because Florida decided to cut a deal with Disney a long time she, just like they did with a couple of thousand others!
Disney has just as much money invested in any of it's other major sites, and they can afford to move, it just massively de-emphasize and/or downsize the site. Kind of like cancelling the huge office complex they were in the process of setting up, but have now cancelled because of the illegal harassment by desantis.
Don't like big company's not paying appropriate taxes, get it made illegal to offer those deals with a federal law, and get rid of the politicians that keep cutting corporate taxes. (Here's a hint, the majority of them have a thing for elephants)
He doesn't
Then he should take over all the special districts not just one. Or shut up
Without Disney, Florida would not exist. Boot DeSantis out. Its becoming a Nazi state.
I pray Disney wins. DeSantis is a bully and dictator and he is just evil on every side. He hates for anyone to disagree with him. I cannot understand how the citizens of Florida allow him to stay in office. He has shown his true colors and we cannot allow him to be President. Destroying history of Black people and treating immigrants as trash should never make anyone feel good about themselves. We do not need his leadership in this Country.
Since there are over 2,000 special districts in Florida, is DeSantis going to take over them as well. He is costing Florida taxpayers a fortune just because Disney exercised its right of free speech. What happens when other businesses speak out against something they disagree with. DeSantis is acting like a dictator.
I think governor to is within his rights to not allow big corporations like Disney to come in and governor their own facilities. I think it should be like everybody else you buy by the law and they need to stay out of the politics. Disney is the one that has too much power here in the state of Florida, and if any of you, Floridians, think that Disney’s gonna get up and move you better think again they have too much money invested and they’ve made a lot of money by not paying taxes that’s where the people in Florida pay higher taxes.
He had his fillings hurt and he is now using tax payer money. Talk about stupid we could us that money to help people with our home owners insurance. He is killing Florida .
Disney has a right to free speech like you and me even if DeSantis feels otherwise.
I feel DeSantis should be paying the cost of suing Disney out of his own pocket. This is something personal to him and he is working against our will.
Disney has always been in politics. Maybe not as vocal. But are you aware the footed the $2mil govenor’s party for Ron the Con….? Let that stew for a minute.
DeSantis needs a course in economics and a history lesson on what Disney did for Florida when they came in.Sure Disney had control however look how much they paid in taxes. Look at all the states they wish they had Disney.
Um no. Freedom of speech is what America is all about. We all have the right to raise our voices and speak our minds. 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. Have you forgotten???
desantis is DeRanged. Kick him to the curb. He's dangerous for Florida, obviously.
Disney has the right to speak out, more specifically, on behalf of their employees without state intervention! Gay has been around ... in all religions and cultures! For someone who claims to love their heritage, DeSantis can't stand his own Italian history which is where GAY accept and practicd, ask the Roman Empire's wives. History is factual about that and probably why ol Ronni wants Cover-up rights with his privilege. All because people keep asking if he's GAY... The Gays pass!
This debacle isn't costing DeSantis a frickin nickel...Floridians and tourists are footing this waste of time, energy and most of all $$$!
What do I think about the leader of a state government's unlawful constructed attempt at a hostile takeover of a business that put the state on the map, as well as being the largest employer, because someone hurt his feelings. I thought this only happened in Russia, Russia, Russia.
From the very start I said the governor is vindictive and has to much power in his state. For him to be able to introduce and pass legislation like he has proves the government there is concerning. Disney pumps billions into Florida and has a economy breaking ability if they were to fold up an go elsewhere. It would hurt them now although with this wanna be president doing his thing their already hurting. The governor was and is wrong
Remember this when YOU exercise your freedom of speech and say something that hurts your government's feelings, and they strong arm your business. We're not a communist country, and without Disney, there would be more swamp land than tourist.
Remember that they HAD to support cast members. DeSantis gets pissed too easily and then shoots from the hip
This sounds like people bitching about high speed rail, back when JEB and Rick Scott were running the show. I think DeSantis has barked up the wrong tree!
If Disney just stayed out politics this wouldn't have happened .
Desantis doesn't have ANY money - it's the taxpayers in the state of Florida footing this bill.
Right now, after all of their consecutive movie disasters I think DeSantis has more money to burn than the mouse!