UNITED STATES: Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor, asked the people to “buckle up” as he signed the bill giving the state a chance to take over Disney’s Orlando theme parks.
The 50-year power that was held by Disney is ultimately stripped, which makes DeSantis’s Republican-led legislature get more oversight as he plans a 2024 presidential run.
This move comes right after the opposing views portrayed by Disney on the state laws curtailing gender and sexuality education. DeSantis responded by urging lawmakers to strip Disney of its power.
There has been tension between Florida lawmakers and Disney due to the controversial bill signed by DeSantis last April that banned gender and sexuality education in Florida schools for pupils aged nine and under.
A public statement was released by Disney in opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” law, mentioning that it would stigmatise LGBTQIA+ youth.
DeSantis stated on Monday, “Today, the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end,” at a bill signing ceremony in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, close to Walt Disney World. He also added that “There’s a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day.”
The Walt Disney World territory for more than 50 years worked within the premise of Florida’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was basically a self-governing area that also included a utility control and a fire department.
This apparently saved the local taxpayers from important costs that are necessary to ensure proper functioning of the 43 square miles of property.
DeSantis mentioned that Disney would be treated the same way as the Orlando theme parks and would no longer be free from state regulations.
Martin Garcia, a Tampa lawyer and a Republican donor whose firm gave $50,000 to DeSantis’s reelection campaign, would be appointed as a board member.
A Sarasota County School Board member and the co-founder of the conservative organisation Moms for Liberty, as well as the wife of Christian Ziegler, the new chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, Bridget Ziegler, were also appointed.
In his news conference on Monday, DeSantis stated that he was still a fan of the Mouse. “In spite of all the stuff that’s happened over the past couple of years, I’ve always been very proud of our parks.”
He further added, “It’s almost like a right of passage for people to be able to come down here, and a lot of families have had really great experiences, but when you lose your way, you’ve got to have people who can tell you the truth.”
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