Connect with us

News

Disney tells its lobbyists to step up fight against DeSantis and his allies in Florida

Published

on

Disney tells its lobbyists to step up fight against DeSantis and his allies in Florida

Stickers and attire selling Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sit on a desk earlier than a guide tour occasion on the North Charleston Coliseum on April 19, 2023 in North Charleston, South Carolina. 

Sean Rayford | Getty Photographs

Disney is making ready to take its struggle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his GOP allies within the state legislature to the subsequent stage, based on folks aware of the matter.

With simply weeks till Florida’s legislative session ends, Disney is pushing lobbyists to step up their efforts to affect the Republican-controlled state legislature and to focus on land use associated payments that would damage the corporate, amongst different measures, mentioned the folks, who declined to be named in an effort to converse freely concerning the points.

Advertisement

A spokesman for Disney declined to touch upon the lobbying effort.

The battle between the leisure big and DeSantis began final yr after Disney opposed the Florida invoice that critics named “Do not Say Homosexual,” which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identification in public colleges for kindergarten by third grade.

Then, earlier than DeSantis may strip the district the place Disney relies of its self-governing standing and exchange the board that oversaw the realm, a Disney-allied panel signed a long-lasting growth settlement that drastically limits the governor’s management. DeSantis has mentioned that state legislators are drafting laws to nullify that settlement.

Republican officers and enterprise leaders have more and more criticized DeSantis’ salvos in opposition to the corporate. Former President Donald Trump and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — two of Florida governor’s potential 2024 rivals — and even former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein have all pushed again on DeSantis for his battle with the corporate.

Since DeSantis steered Monday that he needed to develop land close to Disney World, probably by constructing a jail, Disney introduced that “inexpensive and attainable housing” across the park is about to open in 2026.

Advertisement

Republican Florida state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia warned Disney to not struggle again, as he stood subsequent to DeSantis at a information convention Monday.

“I’ve a pair phrases for Disney. You aren’t going to win this struggle. This governor will,” Ingoglia mentioned. “One phrase of recommendation for Disney going ahead: let it go. Simply let it go.”

On the identical occasion, DeSantis vowed to nullify an settlement that will enable the Orlando amusement park to bypass a particular governing district board full of DeSantis appointees.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis solutions questions throughout a press convention at Seminole State Faculty in Sanford, Florida, Monday, Might 16, 2022.

Joe Burbank | Orlando Sentinel | Getty Photographs

Advertisement

Shortly after DeSantis’ remarks on Monday, Disney executives referred to as on lobbyists to keep watch over any Florida payments that would damage the corporate and to begin aggressively working in opposition to them, based on an individual with direct data of the matter. There’s a specific curiosity in combatting laws associated to land use following DeSantis’ remarks, this particular person mentioned.

This particular person, who was unauthorized to talk publicly on Disney’s plans, instructed CNBC that one of many land-related payments Disney lobbyists are watching rigorously is CS/SB 1604: Land Use and Growth Laws. Ingoglia launched the invoice within the Senate, and an an identical invoice was put ahead within the state Home.

Each chambers have launched amendments that would have an effect on Disney. The measures would enable a “newly elected or appointed governing physique of the impartial particular district,” such because the DeSantis-appointed governing physique of the Disney district, to assessment any growth agreements and have the choice to vote on whether or not that district will readopt that unique growth deal.

Each of these amendments have been filed on Tuesday, the day after the DeSantis’ press convention the place he hammered Disney, based on the state legislature web site.

Disney and CEO Bob Iger do not look like taking DeSantis and his allies’ newest strikes flippantly.

Advertisement

Buddies of Iger’s say that the Disney CEO could possibly be hoping {that a} new lobbying effort in opposition to DeSantis and allies, together with a vital public notion of the governor’s actions, may dissuade sufficient Republican officers from siding with the governor. DeSantis successfully controls the state legislature with a GOP supermajority.

“It is virtually like each time DeSantis says these loopy issues Bob comes out forward,” a longtime ally of Iger’s instructed CNBC. “He feels Disney is prepared for the struggle however I feel he is form of watching the governor attempt to float his personal boat on this one.”

A Disney spokesman instructed CNBC that this notion of Iger is “not correct.”

Bob Iger, CEO, Disney, throughout CNBC interview, Feb. 9, 2023.

Randy Shropshire | CNBC

Advertisement

DeSantis’ potential opponents in a presidential major have pounced on the controversy as an opportunity to stay it to the Florida governor. Trump, who’s working for president, and Christie, one other potential 2024 candidate, have each ripped DeSantis for his conflict with Disney.

“Disney’s subsequent transfer would be the announcement that no extra money will likely be invested in Florida due to the Governor – Actually, they may even announce a gradual withdrawal or sale of sure properties, or the entire thing,” Trump mentioned in a Reality Social submit response to DeSantis’ newest struggle with the corporate, with out citing proof that the corporate may take these steps.

Early GOP major polls present DeSantis because the second main candidate behind Trump. The ex-president has held an enormous edge in many of the latest polls.

The Disney feud could price DeSantis donors, too. Some Republican megadonors, who have been as soon as staunchly in DeSantis’ nook for 2024 GOP, have referred to as the governor’s allies not too long ago to say they won’t assist him run for president, based on a longtime DeSantis ally. As an alternative, they mentioned they may again one other attainable candidate in Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., this particular person mentioned.

There could also be a means out of the protracted struggle, nevertheless. Earlier than DeSantis’ newest assault, Iger had hinted to Time that he was open to attempting to make amends with the governor.

Advertisement

“I don’t view this as a going-to-mattresses state of affairs for us. If the governor of Florida needs to fulfill with me to debate all of this, in fact, I’d be glad to try this,” he mentioned.

Iger has additionally publicly ripped DeSantis’ remedy of Disney.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

News

Louise Haigh resigns as UK transport secretary over phone offence

Published

on

Louise Haigh resigns as UK transport secretary over phone offence

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

UK transport secretary Louise Haigh has resigned after admitting that she had pleaded guilty to a criminal offence over a missing mobile phone, in a fresh setback to the Labour government after a bruising first five months in office.

Heidi Alexander, a justice minister and former deputy mayor for transport in London, was appointed on Friday as Haigh’s replacement.

Haigh said on Thursday that she pleaded guilty a decade ago to an offence relating to a mobile phone she wrongly claimed had been stolen. The offence was fraud by false representation, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Advertisement

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accepted her resignation late on Thursday night, amid concerns in Downing Street that she had not given a full public explanation of the circumstances behind the conviction.

“This wasn’t going to go away in 24 hours,” said one government official. “There were lots of strings to pull on.”

Haigh said she told police she lost a phone, which had been provided by her employer at the time Aviva, during a “terrifying” mugging on a night out in 2013, only to discover later it had not been taken after all.

“I should have immediately informed my employer and not doing so straight away was a mistake,” Haigh said in her resignation letter.

“Whatever the facts of the matter, this issue will inevitably be a distraction from delivering on the work of this government,” she added.

Advertisement

Her resignation is the first by a cabinet minister since Starmer led Labour to victory in July’s general election, and caps a difficult few weeks since chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the biggest tax increases in a generation in last month’s Budget.

Acknowledging Haigh’s resignation, Starmer said in a brief letter that she had helped to deliver an ambitious transport agenda. “I know you still have a huge contribution to make in the future,” he said.

An ally of Haigh insisted that Starmer had not forced her to resign. “Absolutely not — it was her decision,” they said. Starmer’s allies have not ruled out Haigh’s return to the front bench.

Haigh worked at Aviva alongside Sam White, a longtime Labour adviser who was the insurer’s director of public policy in 2014. White later became Starmer’s chief of staff in 2021.

Her exit comes at a critical moment for the government’s transport policy. As transport secretary, she was responsible for everything from High Speed 2 rail to legislation on electric vehicle sales.

Advertisement

The 37-year-old MP had been leading fraught talks with the car industry over ways to water down rules on EV sales, which manufacturers say are too onerous given demand for EVs is weakening.

It also comes less than 24 hours after her flagship rail nationalisation bill became law, paving the way for the reversal of the privatisation of the railways.

Haigh’s departure marks the loss of one of a handful of more leftwing figures in the cabinet.

In October she criticised P&O Ferries as a “cowboy operator” over its decision to fire and rehire 800 workers two years ago, and said she was boycotting the business.

The incident caused a political storm, with Downing Street saying the comments “were her own personal view and don’t represent the view of the government”, as ministers tried to convince the ferry group’s owner DP World to finalise a £1bn UK investment.

Advertisement

Haigh said she intended to remain as MP for Sheffield Heeley, which she has represented since 2015. She said on Thursday that she had received a discharge for her 2014 conviction, the “lowest possible outcome”.

Before being elected, Haigh worked as a public policy manager for Aviva. She also volunteered as a special constable in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary from 2009 to 2011.

A spokesperson for the opposition Conservatives said Haigh was right to resign, claiming she had fallen short of the standards expected of an MP. They added that Starmer needed to explain the “obvious failure of judgment to the British public” in appointing Haigh given her resignation letter says the prime minister knew about the conviction.

Continue Reading

News

Lake effect snowstorm hits Ohio: travel warnings for Interstate 90

Published

on

Lake effect snowstorm hits Ohio: travel warnings for Interstate 90

A Lake Effect Snow Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland, effective from 3:48 AM EST Wednesday through 10:00 AM EST Saturday. The warning predicts heavy snow accumulations and hazardous conditions in Ohio across Ashtabula Inland, Ashtabula Lakeshore, Geauga, and Lake Counties.

The warning highlights significant travel impacts, especially along Interstate 90, with NWS reporting that conditions may make travel impossible at times. Those living or planning to move through the affected areas are advised to postpone any non-essential travel. Friday’s morning and evening commutes could face major disruptions as snow and strong winds reduce visibility.

The NWS warning said: “Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Travel is impossible and should be postponed. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes and post-holiday travel, especially along Interstate 90.”

Residents in the affected areas should prepare for snow accumulations of 10 to 28 inches, according to the NWS, with snowfall rates reaching one to two inches per hour in some regions. Winds gusting up to 35 mph near the lakeshore will contribute to dangerous conditions, with visibility potentially dropping to below a quarter of a mile due to blowing and falling snow.

Anyone who must travel is advised to keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
their vehicle in case of an emergency.

Advertisement

“If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution,” said the NWS. “Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Continue Reading

News

Live news: Australia enacts ‘world leading’ children’s social media ban

Published

on

Live news: Australia enacts ‘world leading’ children’s social media ban
K-pop band NewJeans attends the Billboard Women in Music Awards in the US last March © Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Shares of Hybe, South Korea’s leading K-pop agency, fell nearly 5 per cent on Friday morning as its popular idol group NewJeans plans to break up with the music powerhouse in a move that could spark a legal dispute.

The band said on Thursday night that they will end their exclusive contract with Ador, an affiliate of Hybe, due to the management agency’s alleged breach of contract. The contract was supposed to endure until 2029.

The decision comes after months-long disputes between Min Hee-jin, the producer of the idol group and the former chief executive of Ador, and Hybe, who accused Min of trying to seize control of the label.

Min has denied the accusations and Ador said there was no breach of contract.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending