Florida Governor Ron Desantis has taken new steps to cede control from the special district allotted to Disney in the 60s.
Desantis announced, during a lunchtime press conference on Monday, that he would be implementing multiple steps to work against a recent foil in his plans to put Disney’s special district under state control.
This comes after Desantis’ state selected board to oversee Disney’s operation, infrastructure, and construction, made the governor aware that the outgoing Reedy Creek Improvement board (whose members were not state appointed) made an end-run agreement with Disney that awarded Disney power to build at the highest density on the land; and give them the right to let any developer or company build on that land. The state would only retain the right to upkeep state infrastructure around the district and very little else.
Desantis vowed to employ a team of lawyers to look over the outgoing deal, as early speculation from legal officials suggested that there were certain legal “infirmities” and shady dealings which would nullify the newly awarded control Disney acquired.
Listing the defiant measures during a press conference, Desantis vowed to cease control of the special district and leave it in the hands of his state appointed board, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight board. Furthermore, he would pass on the authority to inspect theme park rides and transportation to the state, which would increase Disney taxes. The board would also acquire the rights to build on the land adjacent to Disney’s special district.
Floating usages of the adjacent 27,000 acres of land, Desantis remarked that he would be open to building a state park, a competing theme park, selling power infrastructure to a private entity or even building a prison.
Critics have largely regarded the feud between the state and Disney as a waste of time that has devolved into the clashing of egos; citing other pressing concerns in the state such as housing affordability or the housing in south Florida. There is also a concern that raising the tax burden on Disney will mean higher prices being passed onto consumers.
