DeSantis Takes Aim At Disney's Self-Governing 'Special Privileges' After Company's Opposition

[bronxiteforever]

After Company’s Opposition To “Don’t Say Gay” Bill
Deadline

By Ted Johnson
April 1, 2022 7:44am

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested that The Walt Disney Co. should be stripped of its “special privileges” in the state following its opposition to the new Parental Rights in Education law, dubbed by detractors as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

DeSantis appeared to be referring to a 1967 state law that created a special district around Walt Disney World, allowing the company to self govern many of its operations and development.

The governor told reporters on Thursday, “Someone said, ‘Hey, Disney has all these special perks. Should you retaliate against them for them coming out and demagoguing this bill?’ I don’t believe you ‘retaliate,’ but I think what I would say, as a matter of first principle, I don’t support special privileges in law. Just because a company is powerful and they have been able to wield a lot of power.”

After initially remaining publicly neutral as the bill made its way through the state legislature, Disney CEO Bob Chapek then announced the company’s opposition. This week, after DeSantis signed the bill into law, Disney issued a statement saying that the legislation “should never have passed and should never have been signed into law.”

More here
https://deadline.com/2022/04/ron-desantis-disney-dont-say-gay-1234992415/

[Phoenix61]

1. The reason Disney was "given" the special

privilege is the state couldn’t afford to build the infrastructure Disney needed. I had the opportunity to tour all of it. They had their own everything, and I mean everything, a small city needs. It was impressive and when they built it, it was in the middle of nowhere. Fingers crossed Disney goes all in to support the Dem candidate. Heck if they just stopped supporting asshats like DeSatan it would be a huge win.

[bronxiteforever]

10. +1 Cool. I didn't know the history however I do

know the Desantis is an asshat. The man exudes hate and venom.

[SoonerPride]

2. Revoke their stand alone status and Disney will bill the state for the infrastructure they built

We built all this stuff to support our parks. But if you want to claim it, then pay us for it.

OK, fine, here is a bill for $40,000,000,000.

Pay up Florida.

[Me.]

3. Stupid Move

[getagrip_already]

4. disney should move out of fl......

buy an island in mexico with its own airport and relocate. then turn the current complex into low income housing.

yeah, it will never happen, but let desantis square that with all the people of fl.

[snowybirdie]

5. It'll be chaos

Thousands of these special districts have been created by this law after it was passed. These were responsible for much of the state's development of housing, retirement communities and golf courses over the past 40+years. Will they have to be dissolved too? Folks will scream and bondholders will be screwed.

[TheRealNorth]

6. Sounds like more Republican cancel culture to me

How is this not a free speech issue when a government takes legislative action to punish you because they don't like something that you said?

[grumpyduck]

7. I'm rooting for The Mouse. nt

[Baitball Blogger]

8. Disney has the First Amendment Right to say what it wants to.

De Santis can do nothing about their disagreement. The fact that he is openly threatening retaliation means more money for Disney.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

14. Yeah I thought corporations are people my friend.

I thought they have 1st amendment rights just like people.

[Baitball Blogger]

17. LOL! The snake that came back to bite them.

[Lancero]

9. A Republican, lashing out against a corporatocracy?

Never thought I'd see that in my lifetime.

[Volaris]

11. It's a corpratocarcy that isn't bowing down to Republicans will.

THATS the issue.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

12. My family goes to Walt Disney World a great deal

It will be interesting to see DeSantis fight Disney

[Mr.Bill]

13. It's very simple.

Don't fuck with Mickey.

[Tickle]

15. Minnie

has been known to kick a little ass to lol

[leftyladyfrommo]

16. Wait until he goes ip against Disney attorneys.

Disney has to have an army of really good lawyers.