U.S. News
Ron DeSantis strips Disney’s special tax status
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Gov. Ron DeSantis revoked Disney parks’ special tax status on Friday.
- The governor signed into law a bill stripping the company’s long-held municipal autonomy in the Orlando area.
- DeSantis’ action comes after Disney suspended political contributions in Florida elections.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday punished Walt Disney Company by stripping its special tax status in the Orlando area. The governor’s action is viewed as a retaliation against the company for its criticism of Florida’s new Parental Rights in Education Law, commonly known by its critics’ label, the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.
Last month, Disney CEO Bob Chapek apologized to employees who held protests after thinking the company failed to support its LGBTQ community. Disney issued a statement that said its “goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that.”
On Friday, DeSantis said he was “just not comfortable having that type of agenda get special treatment in my state,” The New York Times reported.
The Parental Rights in Education law prohibits teachers in Florida from talking about “sexual orientation or gender identity” with young students and allows parents to sue school districts if a teacher mentions the issues.
The state’s Republican-led legislature immediately acted on the measure to end Disney’s special tax status. The State House voted 68-38 to approve on Thursday followed by a 23-16 vote to approve in the State Senate.
The law effectively dissolves any special tax districts in Florida created since 1968, including the Reedy Creek Improvement District that Disney has controlled for 55 years, the AP reported. The law permitted Disney to control decisions about its real estate holdings in the Orlando area. It includes four theme parks, two water parks, stores and restaurants, a sports complex, and hotels.
Reedy Creek responsibility will now likely belong to Orange and Osceola counties, including almost $1 billion in long-term bond debt.
If the law remains in place, the Reedy Creek district will cease to exist as of June 1st, 2023,
Source: Yahoo News
CZ
April 28, 2022 at 6:37 pm
There was NEVER a legitimate reason for Disney to be a special Tax District. In any event there is certainly no reason for it to remain that way. Besides look at what a Disney costs per person per day and the lines are so long that after spending hundreds per day there is only time enough for a few rides. It is unfair to give or continue special tax privilege’s to any special interest. Here is another sad example: it is a shame that with all the gizilions of dollars the major football (and other sports) leagues, teams and players make, but they always want handouts like their stadiums (or the money for them) be donated at taxpayers expense. It seams like big business asks for and gets all these handouts and we the people (tax payers) pay the bill. I could go on and on there are company’s like wally world, that put the little guy(s) (all the mom and pop stores) out of business and don’t pay legitimate taxes. We the people (tax payers) make the rich get richer and by allowing these Liberal Oligarchs to get these special privilege’s we just get by. Remember just because your parents were Democrats and told you that is what you need to be, doesn’t make it so. Educate yourselves and speak up for what is right regardless of your political brand.
CZ
April 28, 2022 at 6:38 pm
There was NEVER a legitimate reason for Disney to be a special Tax District. In any event there is certainly no reason for it to remain that way. Besides look at what a Disney costs per person per day and the lines are so long that after spending hundreds per day there is only time enough for a few rides. It is unfair to give or continue special tax privilege’s to any special interest. Here is another sad example: it is a shame that with all the gizilions of dollars the major football (and other sports) leagues, teams and players make, but they always want handouts like their stadiums (or the money for them) be donated at taxpayers expense. It seems like big business asks for and gets all these handouts and we the people (tax payers) pay the bill. I could go on and on there are company’s like wally world, that put the little guy(s) (all the mom and pop stores) out of business and don’t pay legitimate taxes. We the people (tax payers) make the rich get richer and by allowing these Liberal Oligarchs to get these special privilege’s we just get by. Remember just because your parents were Democrats and told you that is what you need to be, doesn’t make it so. Educate yourselves and speak up for what is right regardless of your political brand.