Punishing Disney, DeSatan Signals a Lasting G.O.P. Brawl With Business

[BlueWavePsych]

Gov. Ron DeSantis’s move to revoke the company’s special tax status in Florida showed how combative his party has grown toward corporations that are increasingly taking a stand on political issues.

The move, which reverses a 55-year arrangement effectively allowing the company to self-govern its theme park complex, came after a weekslong battle with Disney that became a symbol of the country’s broader cultural fights over education, sexuality and identity.

The Florida standoff largely centered on an education law recently signed by Mr. DeSantis. That law, called the “Parental Rights in Education” measure — or, by its critics, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — prohibits classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in some elementary school grades. After internal demands to speak out, Disney, Florida’s largest private employer, had criticized the measure and paused political donations.

Widely seen as retaliation, Mr. DeSantis’s move illustrated just how drastically the G.O.P. has transformed from the days when its leaders often moved in lock step with the nation’s largest businesses. The episode also showed how major companies have felt rising pressure to take a stand on heated political issues.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/22/us/politics/desantis-disney-florida.html

[lark]

1. Oh I so hope they can flatten him.

Make it plain they are looking to relocate to another state, no more expansion at Disney, no more FL residents cheap tickets, Death Sentence killed the benefit when he deliberately hurt Disney financially. Fuck him! Come on Disney, kill this ass - figureatively!

[agingdem]

3. think of all the neighborhoods and small towns near

and around Disney World..they "live" off the tourist trade..hotels, restaurants that would close if Disney packed up and moved shop...

[lark]

4. If you don't think Death Sentence wants to close rides - think again.

Bet he's got tons of inspections being scheduled and he will find many issues & close the park or just some important rides. He's done this for a reason and it wasn't just theatrics - wonder if he's got someone lined up to take over the park or if he's so stupid he's done this with no plan? Seems like he thinks he can just make them suffer and cost them a lot without it touching him. I so hope he's wrong!! If the small business owners support him and drumpf and I bet most do - I don't care how much they suffer, they totally deserve it.

[agingdem]

5. if so, you can bet it's some christian theme park...

Last edited Sat Apr 23, 2022, 11:27 AM - Edit history (1)

and you're right..if the surrounding townships support Despot DeSantis then may they suffer along with the residents who voted for him...

[dutch777]

2. Will be interesting where this goes. Disney set up was to avoid building codes for rides and...

.. expedite permits. Typical building codes don't apply well to large scale rides and amusements like Disney runs. Emergency exiting requirements like signage, stairs and such can really mess with the design and flow. This is not to say Disney has not addressed the concern but they used "alternative means" that under typical building code would need all kinds of third party testing and special approval. Being ones own building official and public works agency saves a lot of time and expense. If one of the local jurisdictions has to assume this function, and isn't real flexible in applications of codes and ordinances, new attractions at Disney could be a real nightmare to get done. Of course, there is also apparently debt and other costs from the public agency/public works side for roads, water, sewer and so on that will be a budgeting challenge as well.

[scarletlib]

6. Disney has been a responsible owner.

I have never heard of any fatalities or serious injuries on any of their rides. If there were/are any they are few and far between.
Disney pulls permits and obeys all Florida permitting laws. The major difference is that the Reedy Creek District essentially functions as its own town/suburb of Orange County. This allows them to move quickly to accomplish its goals.

I am no die hard Disney fan. They can be criticized for a lot of things.
However, this is not one of them. If this goes through it will wreak havoc on the counties that will now pay these taxes in lieu of Reedy Creek/aka Disney paying them.