How Disney became a self-governing kingdom in Florida that Ron DeSantis and state Republicans...

[Initech]

Now want to unravel:

The Florida state legislature in 1967 created the Reedy Creek Improvement District whose landowners, primarily Walt Disney World, would pay for its municipal services at a time when the nearest power and water lines were up to 15 miles away. The charter even allowed the District to build its own nuclear power plant if it wanted.

Now Florida Republicans want to terminate Reedy Creek as a feud with Disney unfolds over legislation known by critics as "Don't Say Gay," which limits teachers' instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity.

"Disney is a guest in Florida," state Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican who sponsored legislation to terminate the District, told Insider. "They're a California company that clearly has California values. And they come to this state as our guest and they ask for special privileges that no other company in the state of Florida has, including their competitors.

"Universal doesn't get these. Legoland doesn't get these. SeaWorld doesn't get these. And then they want to disrespect the voters of the state on a bill that is overwhelmingly approved by every demographic, including Biden voters. Well, you know, when my kids ask for special privileges, they don't act like jerks," Fine added.
https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-reedy-creek-improvement-district-self-governing-republicans-say-gay-2022-4?utmSource=twitter&utmContent=referral&utmTerm=topbar&referrer=twitter

Fuck you, assholes. Nobody asked for this "don't say gay" bill and the rest of the world is horrified by it. It's completely draconian and will get people killed. Ron DeSantis is a fucking maniac who should not be in any sort of position of authority. And you're not welcome in my state, by the way.

[lame54]

1. What a fucking liar...

All kids act like jerks

[Javaman]

2. But desatan is a-okay with the scientologists. nt

[Baitball Blogger]

3. What lying preamble. But what do you expect from Republicans:

" And then they want to disrespect the voters of the state on a bill that is overwhelmingly approved by every demographic, including Biden voters."

This is how autocrats roll. They shrink their circles and inside that isolated echo chamber they decide how the rest of us should think, feel and vote. The thing is, there is a process that De Santis should have followed, and never did. Instead, he makes up a false premise that the majority of the voters support his position, when he hasn't done the due process to make those words sticks.

I feel like my rights have been infringed.

[SmallFry]

6. Democrats in the state have wanted this special governance issue dealt with for a long time.

Of course they don't support why DeSantis is doing it, but overall Democrats have absolutely wanted to do away with this, it's republicans who have stopped them.

Historically, Democrats in the state have wanted this done to Disney for a long time.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Link?

I've live here for quite a long time and have not heard a word about Democrats wanting the demise of the largest labor force in Central Florida. Not even the old guard Dems are that stupid.

[Tommy Carcetti]

20. Read "Team Rodent" by Carl Hiaasen.

He goes into great detail what a ridiculous corrupt bargain Reedy Creek was.

Reedy Creek does not deserve to be abolished for this asinine reason; that being said, I can't say that I'll cry much over its lost.

[Baitball Blogger]

21. This is just one of those times that show why I had little in common with old guard Fla. Democrats

What happens now, however, should take into account how this came about. Do they feel comfortable having someone like De Santis sweeping them into this decision, as if they were side by side with him every step of the way? Do old guard Democrats feel okay with it coming about as retaliation to Disney's support for gay rights?

And if they don't, let them speak up instead of allowing De Santis to co-opt them into this decision.

[Buckeyeblue]

9. In the last 10 minutes of reading about this arrangement it sounds crazy

No wonder Republicans have supported it for years.

[Phoenix61]

14. The local tax payers paid zero for Disney to come.

Disney literally built a city that is now the single largest employer in the state. If DeSatan thinks Disney is going to hand over the infrastructure they built he is delusional. I wonder how the current employees feel about it? Fire, police etc are district employees and I can’t imagine any of them wanting to work for the local county.

“When it formed, the counties didn't have the services or resources to support Disney's proposal to turn 38.5 square miles of mostly uninhabited pasture and swampland into a global destination resort, according to the District's website.

The 1967 legislation stipulated that the District landowners would be solely responsible for paying for power, water, roads, and fire protection. Local county taxpayers meanwhile wouldn't have to pay for building or maintaining those services, the website says.”

IMHO, this is nothing but a land grab. If the district is dissolved the land falls under county jurisdiction. I have no doubt it’s already been carved up by DeSatan and his friends.

[Buckeyeblue]

24. Disney will still own the land, right?

It seems like the state law that kept the county off the hook for all the services Disney was managing would go away.

But really, this sounds like a contract violation. Can a state law be a contract? I guess we'll find out.

[Phoenix61]

25. Yeah, you're right I guess Disney would still own the land.

The special district designation may be considered a contract. Either way, I’d be very surprised if Disney hadn’t considered the possibility of the state reneging on the deal at some point in the future. Knowing how much DeSatan likes to shoot his mouth off I sincerely doubt he’s read the small print on the agreement.

[obamanut2012]

10. lol I live here, not true

[onethatcares]

18. Which Democrats have supported this?

Lawton Chiles? John Morgan?

wondering where you got the info. It's very easy to show us a link.

[roamer65]

4. State of Disney!

Secession NOW!

[Initech]

8. Ha, I'd like to see Disney become its' own state.

City state?

[SmallFry]

5. This bill might get considerable Democratic support, not that it needs it. NT

[obamanut2012]

11. lol wrong

[Phoenix61]

15. Not a chance. I have no idea where you are getting

your information from. I’m a native Floridian and am clueless where this is coming from. Could you post some links?

[Deuxcents]

23. Not w/ this democrat..

[snowybirdie]

12. Along with it

There's $2 billion in debt to be paid. Who's going to pick up that tab?

[FloridaBlues]

13. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. And this could come back and bite republicans

Haven’t seen much polling on this here so not sure where it stands. But I can tell you the people of several county’s won’t be happy with several thousand per year added increase to an already outrageous home insurance we are paying if you can find a company.
It time after 3 decades of total republican control in Tallahassee for a change.

[kimbutgar]

16. I think this will backfire on Desatan

Disney can tell it’s employees to not vote for his re election because they might lose their jobs.

[Initech]

17. I hope so!

It's time to loosen Fox News' iron grip on Florida and neighboring states.

[Tommy Carcetti]

19. Reedy Creek was a notorious terrible and corrupt giveaway for Disney. That said...

...it's being stripped for the dumbest of reasons.

[Phoenix61]

26. Disney owned the land. What was the state giving away?

Would you rather the state payed for the infrastructure Disney needed to build anything? It was literally built on a swamp.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/03/imagineering-seven-seas-lagoon-a-waterway-for-the-world/

[Tommy Carcetti]

28. Certain land use and other restrictions and regulations.

It was literally built on a swamp. And perhaps it shouldn't have been.

[Phoenix61]

30. Whether it should have been or not is a moot point.

The state lost nothing because the land had minimal value until Disney improved it. Due to those improvements the state and surrounding areas have raked in billions of dollars between state sales tax, bed tax, property tax etc.

[lpbk2713]

22. Disney only expects the State of Florida to abide by their word.

The Orlando area would still be cattle ranches and citrus groves if not for Disney.

[Phoenix61]

27. And swamp, lots and lots of swamp. nt

Found this article about how they engineered the water management system. Pretty amazing. One reason for the underground was to ensure characters would never be seen out of area while coming and going. They call the underground Never, Never Land because if you are caught there you will never, never set foot on the property.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/03/imagineering-seven-seas-lagoon-a-waterway-for-the-world/

[Tommy Carcetti]

29. Honestly might have been for the best, ecologically.

That area right now is just a sprawlish mess.

[Phoenix61]

31. That is a valid argument. However, I think Disney

did a better job with water management than multiple small developers would have done. I can’t imagine who else would have invested that much money into a lagoon system.

[PJMcK]

32. Anyone who has ever visited Disneyworld all know this

Beuna Vista, FL, the town that Disney built, is one of the cleanest, safest places in all of Florida.

De Santis and the rest of the Florida GOP should learn a few things from Disney.