FL Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs Bill Eliminating Disney Special District

FLORIDA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday that now starts the process of wiping out Disney's 55-year-old government structure, the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The measure comes after Disney strongly criticized Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law. During a news conference, however, DeSantis said no company, including Disney, deserves preferential treatment.

"We really need to get away from this type of treatment that was really unlike what we've ever seen," DeSantis said.

In 1967 the Florida State legislature, working with Disney, created a special taxing district – called the Reedy Creek Improvement District to act with the same authority and responsibility as a county government.

"It actually gave Disney company their own government in central Florida. They're self-governing. They have the ability to build a nuclear power plant without state consent. They don't have to go through permitting. They have all kinds of different benefits," DeSantis said.

Senate Bill 4-C will dissolve certain independent special districts established before the ratification of the Florida Constitution in 1968 on June 1, 2023, including the Reedy Creek Development District.

"I would have signed this bill three years ago if it had come to my desk just based on basic principles," DeSantis said.

However, it was Disney's strong opposition to Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" law that ultimately prompted Republican lawmakers to begin the process of terminating the Walt Disney Company’s special tax district — despite critics who called the move retaliatory.

SEE ALSO:

• Disney Vows To Help Repeal Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Law
• FL Senate Passes Bill Dissolving Disney's Reedy Creek District

The "Don't Say Gay" law prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and prohibits instruction deemed not age-appropriate for students. Parents may sue a school if these prohibited discussions take place.

"You're a company based in Burbank, California. And you're going to marshal your economic might to attack the parents of my state? We view that as a provocation, and we're going to fight back against that," DeSantis said.

"I think it's interesting you're getting involved in Florida, protecting kindergartners, from going to school without having transgender ideology as their curriculum. But you don't say anything about the communist party of China with all the atrocities they're committing, and you're making a fortune with them," he continued.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, whose county is partially home to Disney World, previously told the Associated Press that it would be “catastrophic for our budget” if the county had to assume the costs for public safety at the theme park resort. Reedy Creek currently reimburses the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for public safety costs.

“If that district goes away, and they no longer pay for those public safety costs, and it then has to fall to the county’s other budgets, that is a net sum loss to the rest of the taxpayers of Orange County,” Demings said at the time.

According to DeSantis, the special districts law is not expected to cause any tax increases for the residents of any area of Florida.

"We are going to take care of all that. Don't worry. We have everything thought out. Don't let anyone tell you that somehow Disney is going to get a tax cut out of this. They're going to pay more taxes as a result of it," he said.

Senate Bill 4-C does not eliminate special districts entirely. According to DeSantis, in the near future, the state will propose additional legislation to authorize additional special districts in a manner "that ensures transparency and an even playing field under the law."