TALLAHASSEE, FL. Disney’s widely publicized bill, which would strip the company of some special powers, is getting mixed reviews a day after it was unveiled. Criticism is coming from the left and the right, with Democrats calling it a power grab and some Republicans calling it too weak.
Legislation formally known as HB 9Bfocused on the Reedy Creek Improvement District, 40 square miles around Orlando Parks, which the company manages as the county government.
“It takes away their self-governance,” said Rep. Fred Hawkins, R-Orlando. “It puts them in the same business ballpark as your Universal Studios, your Sea World, your Busch Gardens.”
Hawkins is a Republican who has been appointed to carry the weighty bill. In almost 200 pages, he highlighted some of the main points changes. Chief among them is a five-member state board that will oversee the renamed district.
The governor appointed people to these seats with the confirmation of the Senate. Disney will also keep its more than a billion dollars in debt without burdening taxpayers.
That’s not all.
The bill also provides for various additional capacity limits.
In an email released Tuesday afternoon, Brian Griffin, a spokesman for Gov. Ron DeSantis, pointed to Reedy Creek’s loss of eminent domain and the ability to build things like an airport, a nuclear plant and toll roads. He also said that the redeveloped district could impose “taxes on Dzna for road and infrastructure improvements outside the district.”
You might think Disney is confused by the change, but think again. Hawkins said he has been in touch and the company sounds nice.
“Talked to them last night,” Hawkins said. “Knowing that’s where we’re at, I think they feel it’s fair. I think it could have gone much further.”
Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Valle said only that Disney is “monitoring the progress of the bill.”
Meanwhile, the governor’s office is scoring a victory, saying in a statement Monday: “Florida is dissolving the Corporate Kingdom and ushering in a new era of accountability and transparency.”
Democrats began to propose the policy as punishment for disney’s opposition to a new law regulating discussion of gender identity in Florida schools.
State Rep. Anna Escamani, D-Orlando, said this week that Desantis sought to suppress dissent.
“This is Governor DeSantis asserting his punitive approach to censorship of First Amendment rights,” Escamani said.
But far-right Republicans have also come under fire. Among them is former state representative turned Lake County Republican Party chairman Anthony Sabatini.
“Disney really didn’t pay any consequences, and I think that’s where we’re at right now,” Sabatini said. “I think Disney won that battle, unfortunately.”
The former deputy had little certainty the new state board would do much to curb Disney’s autonomy. He also noted that many of Disney’s tax breaks remain in place.
“If this bill passes, they are not treated equally,” Sabatini said. “They still have far more perks and benefits than any other company in the state of Florida.”
Hawkins dismissed both criticisms. He considered the bill to be the right step. Taxpayers will be protected from debt and Disney’s reputation will be reduced. The company will still be able to bring the magic of tourism to the state.
“I’m not going to tell you who said it from Disney,” Hawkins said, “but it’s a recurring theme that we just want to move on and put it behind us.”
With a GOP supermajority friendly to the governor, the legislation is expected to win approval as early as Friday. DeSantis is then likely to sign it if lawmakers refrain from major changes. The policy is effective immediately, although there will be a transition period for the new board.
