Ron DeSantis takes aim at Disney, vows to void Florida theme park development agreement

April 8 (Reuters) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ramped up his battle towards Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), searching for to void an settlement that Disney handed to restrict the ability of a board appointed by DeSantis to supervise its Florida theme park property.

On Thursday in remarks made at Hillsdale Faculty in Michigan, DeSantis stated the legislature would void modifications Disney made shortly earlier than it misplaced management of the board.

“They don’t seem to be superior to the folks of Florida. And so come hell or excessive water, we will ensure that coverage of Florida carries the day,” the Florida governor stated.

“We’ll have a look at issues like taxes on motels, we will have a look at issues like tolls on the roads, we will have a look at issues like growing a few of the property that the district owns,” added DeSantis, extensively thought of a 2024 presidential candidate.

Disney didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon DeSantis’ remarks. Nevertheless, earlier within the week, Chief Government Bob Iger fired again at DeSantis, saying his obvious retaliation towards Disney for taking a place on laws was “anti-business.” Disney opposed Florida’s Parental Rights in Training Act – referred to by opponents because the “Do not Say Homosexual” invoice – that restricts classroom dialogue of sexual orientation and gender identification.

Florida lawmakers handed a invoice in February giving DeSantis efficient management over a board that oversees municipal companies and improvement in a particular district that encompasses Walt Disney World resort.

Nevertheless, earlier than the takeover by DeSantis’s appointees, Disney pushed by way of modifications to the particular tax district settlement that restrict the board’s motion for many years.

“What Disney has tried to do is that they have tried to say that they need to be capable of function exterior the context of our constitutional system in Florida,” DeSantis stated on Thursday.

Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Enhancing by Lisa Shumaker

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