Florida v. Disney: Amid controversy over LGBT issues, lawmakers repeal park tax breaks

Florida State House I passed, by 70 to 38, a bill Thursday that revokes The Walt Disney Company’s autonomy status. The move is seen as retaliation for the company’s opposition to a new state law that limits discussion of LGBT issues in schools.

The bill now goes to the office of Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it. The change will take effect in June 2023.

The Republican-led state council has ended a special financial district that allows Disney to self-govern an area of about 25,000 acres in Orlando, where the Disney World theme park complex is located. The Senate also approved the measure on Wednesday.

Cinderella’s Castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom – Photo: Getty Images

The law aims to eliminate a few special tax districts, including the Reedy Creek Improvement District in Orlando. Through this legal provision, Disney and other landowners in the state get tax breaks and fees for taking responsibility for providing public services, such as fighting fires and maintaining power, water, and roads.

understand: “Disney crossed the line”; Why does the governor of Florida want to change the status of the company

DeSantis, a potential candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, wants to respond to Disney for its opposition to a law banning classroom teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity for students under the age of 9. The governor signed the legislation into law last month.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis changed the agenda of the special session to consider a bill that would end Disney’s “autonomy” (Image: Reuters)

Last month, the LGBTQ community questioned Disney for not speaking out against the measure. Under pressure, the company condemned the legislation and announced it would halt all political donations in Florida – sparking a firestorm of criticism from Republican lawmakers against Disney.

Disney did not respond to a request for comment on the decision.