Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is taking a stand against corporate giant Disney World in the Sunshine State. DeSantis declared in a press conference Monday that legislation will soon be presented to revoke an agreement that gave Disney self–governing power.
The agreement was made in February, and gave control to a state board. However, just hours before the deal was finalized, the board transferred its power to Disney, taking advantage of a royal clause that dates back to 1692 in Great Britain.
“This essentially makes Disney the government,” said Ron Peri, a newly appointed member of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board.
DeSantis said Monday that the agreement was “not going to fly.” He then teased threats of reassessing Disney‘s property value for taxes, and allowing construction of more amusement parks in the special district.
“Someone even said, like, ‘Maybe you need another state prison. Who knows?'” DeSantis said. “I just think that the possibilities are endless.”
BREAKING: As part of Ron Desantis' Reedy Creek feud with Disney World he literally just told the press that he is analyzing whether to built a State Prison next to Disney World.
Who else finds it disgustingly ironic that the party who claims to care about children and crime,… pic.twitter.com/0q6JccwCN4
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) April 17, 2023
The Republican governor has clashed with Disney multiple times during his tenure. Disney publicly opposed the Parental Rights in Education bill, which banned schools from giving instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity to young children. Disney World also required visitors to wear face masks until mid 2022, which DeSantis said the new CFTOB may be able to override in the future.
“Disney clung to forcing these young kids to wear masks forever,” DeSantis said. “I think that the district would be within its right to say that, you know, anyone who’s a patron of any business in this district has a right to do it mask–free.”
Republicans are applauding DeSantis for standing up for the citizens of Florida and not allowing corporate giants to dictate policy. Rep. Fred Hawkins, who sponsored the original legislation transferring power to the state board, said details of the new action would roll out in the coming days.
In addition to saying that he will send state inspectors in to inspect rides, Desantis today threatens to build a state prison next to Disney’s theme parks. pic.twitter.com/C51Zo07P26
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) April 17, 2023
