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Politics

A WHOLE NEW 'WORLD': DeSantis Announces Plan to Take Control of Disney's Land

posted by Hannity Staff - 1.06.23

“The corporate kingdom has come to an end.”

According to a Fox News report, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ office announced a plan on Friday that would replace Walt Disney World’s special self-governing power with a state-run board.

DeSantis spox Taryn Fensk says Disney will no longer run its own government.

“The corporate kingdom has come to an end,” DeSantis’ communications director, Taryn Fenske, told Fox News. “Under the proposed legislation, Disney will no longer control its own government, will live under the same laws as everyone else, will be responsible for their outstanding debts, and will pay their fair share of taxes.”

“Imposing a state-controlled board will also ensure that Orange County cannot use this issue as a pretext to raise taxes on Orange County residents,” she added.

From Fox News:

The planned legislation will also ensure that the company will pay upwards of $700 million dollars in unsecured debt accumulated by Disney’s special jurisdiction — known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District — and not Orange County taxpayers, according to the sources.

Last year, DeSantis signed a measure into law dissolving Walt Disney World’s special governing power in the state after the company publicly opposed a new parental rights law in the state. At the bill signing ceremony, the Florida Republican said Disney lied about the “Parental Rights in Education” law’s contents and that he viewed the company’s vow to fight it as unacceptable.

“The governor is doing exactly what he said he would,” DeSanis’ former chief of staff, Adrian Lukis, told Fox News. “Disney can no longer have its own government and own taxing authority, and Disney — not taxpayers — will have to be responsible for any financial consequences.”

“While this will be painful for Disney, I expect businesses throughout the state will be proud of their governor for making it clear that he doesn’t care who you are, or how politically connected you may be — no one gets special treatment in Florida,” Lukis continued.

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