Watch Elton John Play Emotional 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' at Final Stop of Farewell Tour Here's what to know. A: Thats a good question. It was only then that Disney's new binding agreement was discovered. LGBTQ employees Carlos Lopez Estrada , left, and Juan Pablo Reyes holding a Mickey Mouse in rainbow colors, walkout of Disney Animation protesting former CEO Bob Chapek's handling of the staff controversy over Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, aka the "Parental Rights in Education" bill, on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 in Burbank, CA. Irfan Khan | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images, canceling plans for a new corporate campus, CNBCs 2023 Americas Top States for Business rankings to be unveiled on July 11, States are paying huge sums to lure semiconductor manufacturers, on top of CHIPS Act billions. We view that as a provocation, and were gonna fight back against that.. DeSantis, an ascendant GOP governor and potential 2024 presidential candidate, has battled with Disney over the companys opposition to a new law barring instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. "They want their name in those parades. Q: Whats the big picture here for DeSantis? The law is set to dissolve the Reedy Creek special district effective June 1, 2023, but its unlikely that would happen without a lengthy legal battle first. As the brothers looked to expand Disneys footprint only 10% of the people who came to Disneyland in California came from east of the Mississippi River they wanted to have their own self-regulating system. Its developer, the privately held Tavistock Development Company, calls it "the fastest-growing community in Orlando," with millions of square feet of commercial space, homes and home sites, a medical campus with two hospitals, and a shopping and entertainment district. Read Next: Dominic Fike Nearly Got Kicked Off Euphoria for Being a Drug Addict: I Was So Fed Up During a Lot of the Show. The arrangement has allowed Disney to build theme parks, hotels and other tourist experiences within the Reedy Creek district with little to no oversight. Wont Appeal Parole for Manson Family Member Leslie Van Houten, Taylor Swift Enlists Taylor Lautner, Joey King for a Heist in I Can See You Video. DeSantis Site selection consultants interviewed by CNBC say they are watching the Florida controversy unfold, but they have not seen any signs of an exodus from the state. It comes after Disney slammed Florida's controversial Parental Rights in Education legislation, dubbed by activists and critics as the "Don't Say Gay" bill.. In April, Mr. Iger named Asad Ayaz as the companys first-ever chief brand officer, saying he will be responsible for stewarding and elevating the Disney brand globally.. Maybe down the road, [DeSantis] will be able to take another bite of the apple and take away powers and exemptions that the Disney company still has, Foglesong said. A: Yes, definitely. When Disney announced in May that it was canceling plans for a new corporate campus in the Lake Nona section of Orlando, Florida, the move seemed calibrated to inflict maximum damage in the company's feud with Florida Gov. he asked. Disney paid taxes to that district, which provided municipal services and exempted it from some regulations. DeSantis also brushed off the legal action taken by Disney. DeSantis said that Disney alienated a lot of people as a result of its opposition to the so-called Dont Say Gay law, after Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced the company would pause political donations. The Hill reached out to Disneys legal team for additional comments. Claim: A viral social media post accurately summarized the early life and career of Florida Gov. The company, long allergic to controversy, is likely to be the subject of very public and partisan criticism throughout the Republican primary. At a press conference Friday for the signing of the bill, DeSantis assured that municipal expenses for the area would not fall on Florida taxpayers. 77, down from No. Disney is in the midst of a campaign to cut $5.5. In April, the company sued DeSantis, asking a federal court to overturn state efforts to exert greater control over the Walt Disney World theme parks. Peaky Blinders Slams Ron DeSantis Video With Cillian Murphy Ron DeSantis often trashes Walt Disney World when he's on the campaign trail, accusing the family In April, Mr. DeSantis punched back and so did Disney, suing the governor in federal court, pulling the plug on a $1 billion project in Florida and saying another $17 First of all, Disney doesnt get any breaks here. After DeSantis railed against homelessness, and claimed in a campaign ad to have witnessed people defecating in the streets during a comically short 20-minute trip But when youre trying to impose a woke ideology on our state, we view that as a significant threat.. It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights. A group of demonstrators, some displaying Nazi symbols and others holding DeSantis campaign signs, gathered outside Disney Worlds entrance a few weeks ago, drawing national attention. An earlier version misstated the title of the board. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. In a recent television advertisement that aired in Iowa and South Carolina, the main super PAC backing Mr. DeSantis falsely suggested that the company was surreptitiously working to brainwash children. Cost of living has skyrocketed.". The legislature ultimately decided to let Disney keep its special tax district, but gave DeSantis power to appoint the board that governs it. Disney quietly took power from DeSantis' new board before state Battles between taxpayers and county governments would become more likely, like the outrage seen when Orange County approved a controversial $125 million road deal with Orlandos Universal Studios. Disney Weve put this company on a pedestal in the past it has been like the all-American company, Mr. DeSantis said at a town hall in New Hampshire last week. Ron DeSantis calls for an expanded special legislative session to consider special districts created before 1968, including Reedy Creek Improvement District at Walt Disney World. Standing at the podium at a fire station in Floridas Lake Buena Vista home to Walt Disney World Gov. Swatting back at Mr. DeSantis now would most likely exacerbate the situation. DeSantis grew up they feel the economic effects of Disney World, even though it is 100 miles away. On March 9 of last year, he did just that, leading DeSantis to accuse the company of being a woke corporation, lining their pockets with their relationship with the Communist Party of China. A few days later, DeSantis appeared on Fox News and claimed Disney supported sexualizing kids in kindergarten. It came just as DeSantis was about to publish his book, The Courage to Be Free.. Mr. Chapeks successes were overshadowed by missteps one of the biggest being his response to the Florida education law. Roberto Machado Noa | Lightrocket | Getty Images, Disney's power play: DeSantis' board stripped of power until 2053. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. They called on Disney, one of the largest employers in the state, to speak out against it and end all political donations to Florida politicians backing the bill. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. Ron DeSantis has been extremely successful in picking his fights -- this one with Disney, we saw it was math textbooks, things like that, where it increases his national profile and sets him up better for a presidential run. Although the new law delivers some significant changes, the most crucial one is the canceling of a previous mandate that would have resulted in the total dissolution of the district. Less clear is whether other companies will be as eager to move to Florida as the culture war rages on. With this special status, Disney was able to build roads, buildings, and provide services without asking for the permission of a county government. 2023 CNBC LLC. The housing market has slowed in Lake Nona, but it has also slowed nationally. After DeSantis signed the bill into law on March 28, Disney issued another statement vowing to help get it repealed. After Ron DeSantis presidential campaign shared a bizarre and wildly homophobic video that includes footage of Cillian Murphy s character in Peaky Blinders And, so, we have a little more breathing room now with that delay.". The median sales price fell further in Lake Nona than nationwide 9.72% versus 3.2% but homes are more expensive in Lake Nona to begin with. Disney's Magic Kingdom and Gov. "It was a wonderful opportunity," she said. Ron DeSantis has repeatedly leaned on the element of surprise in his attempts to outmaneuver the entertainment giant Why DeSantis is fighting with Disney - Quartz Mr. Iger is also dealing with unwelcome business developments, including poor results at the box office, a lingering screenwriters strike and the departure of Disneys chief financial officer. Why does he harbor so much animosity toward the place where he married Floridas First Lady Casey DeSantis in 2009? Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals, Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski and Lisa Richwine; [TRENDING: Rejected: These are the math books Florida officials claim indoctrinate students | 21-year-old Florida dog recognized as oldest in the world | Become a News 6 Insider (its free!)]. The Florida governor is doing everything he can to punish one of the state's biggest economic drivers, Ron DeSantis Bizarre Feud With Disney, Explained, What the Hell Is a Blizzard? 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Ron DeSantis (R) is trying to strip Walt Disney World The Most Magical Place on Earth, of its self-government power amid an ongoing battle with the The disaster that was gonna hit the county and the taxpayers around here other than Disney its not going to affect them.. DeSantis has made multiple public assurances that Disney, not local taxpayers, will still be on the hook for all tax and debt payments if the Reedy Creek district But they could leverage their positions in Floridas ongoing culture war clash with Disney in any future requests the company makes for roads, new projects or other ventures. Disney cant up and move. At least in theory, Disneys family-friendly movies, TV shows and theme park rides are aimed at everyone. In the Gulf Coast city of Dunedin where Gov. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Hyundais and Kias popular new EVs are turning heads and sales were skyrocketing until the Inflation Reduction Act took their customer rebates away. Republican state Rep. Randy Fine told CNBC's "Squawk Box" last April that the bill wasn't retaliatory, but then said "when Disney kicked the hornet's nest, we looked at special districts.". News 6 is Getting Results. DeSanctus is being absolutely destroyed by Disney, the former president wrote on Truth Social, adding that Disneys next move will be the announcement that no more money will be invested in Florida because of the Governor. I hope were able to do so. said Josh DAmaro, Disneys parks chief. DeSantis slammed over Trump attack ad over LGBTQ rights : NPR Florida Gov. But dissolving RCID might not be so easy. A: I think this is one of the culture wars. Until recently, there had been no major public discussion about dissolving Disney's long-established special district, which it's occupied for 55 years, leading DeSantis' critics to question its timing and the speed at which the governor acted against the company. But he cant afford to retreat. According to the RCIDs annual financial report for 2021, it carries a debt of nearly $1 billion. Under the previous system, the Reedy Creek board was essentially selected by Disney. United Nations' Secretary-General Antnio Guterres condemned the air strike that reportedly killed at least 22 people in Sudan on Saturday, according to a statement released by a spokesperson early on Sunday. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. And the governments not going to get reimbursed for what they have to pick up and take care of.. May 21, 2023 3:33 PM EDT. In order to punish Disney, DeSantis called upon the legislature to strip Disney of its ability self-govern the land occupied by Disney World. Its the great unknown. That's over triple the national average.". We look at, like, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, Citibank," he said. As the bill worked its way through the Florida legislature, Disneys now-former CEO Bob Chapek faced mounting pressure from employees and Disney fans to disavow the legislation. All Rights Reserved. Ron DeSantis: How Disney maneuvered to save its Florida ", In the past, DeSantis has dismissed the possibility of any broader business fallout from his "war on woke. ORLANDO, Fla. Florida lawmakers will consider getting rid of special districts enacted before 1968, which includes Walt Disney Worlds Reedy Creek district, Gov. Floridas Senate on Wednesday voted to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which allows Disney to function as its own government. Florida Gov. We want to hear it. That earlier law, which DeSantis and state legislators rushed across the finish line in a sprint last spring, would have left taxpayers in Orange and Osceola counties, the two counties Disney straddles, saddled with debt owed by the district. "We wait patiently to see what the Fed's going to do next," Fangman said. It was created bythe Florida Legislature so Disney could develop the infrastructure for Walt Disney World at no cost to Florida taxpayers. CNBC's 2023 America's Top States for Business rankings will be revealed on July 11th. (Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.). VIDEO: Walt Disney and Gov. 'Natures Ozempic' Has a Pretty Gross Side Effect Faced with a public outcry, including a walkout among Disney employees around the country, Disney leadership responded. Supporters of the bill accused critics of endorsing child abuse and grooming children for sex. Its boundaries include four theme parks, two water parks, a sports complex, 175 miles of roadway, the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, utility centers, more than 40,000 hotel rooms and hundreds of restaurants and retail stores, according to its website. Mr. Chapek was fired in November, and Mr. Iger returned as chief executive. They want the banners. Ron DeSantis on Monday outlined the next moves in his political war with Walt Disney World, vowing to nullify an agreement that would All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. But what did Disney actually lose from its battle with DeSantis? 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DeSantis, in mid-April suggested the newly formed tourism board could step up inspections of Disney's rides, add additional toll roads, or other development of the area, even floating the idea of putting a state prison in the region. For nearly a year, state legislators, encouraged by DeSantis, have sought to exert more control over the company's Florida-based theme parks by passing a bill that would dissolve Disney's special tax district. Dont let anyone tell you that somehow Disneys going to get a tax cut out of this, he said. Taxpayers would also become responsible for items Disney currently pays for, like road improvements and other mandatory public services. 0:00. DeSantis vowed to nullify those efforts. Under legislation DeSantis signed Monday, the state of Florida took control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which essentially operated as Disneys private municipal government in the area containing Walt Disney World and other parks. DeSantis In a statement following the cancellation, DeSantis called the decision "unsurprising," pointing to Disney's "financial straits, falling market cap and declining stock price.". On Friday, governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill, putting an end to the privileges Disney has enjoyed for 55 years exerting unparalleledcontrol over the land its theme park sits on from approving construction codes to the right to build a nuclear plant. The theme park opened a few years later in 1971. DeSantis RDIC board eventually approved a resolution voiding the agreement between its predecessors and Disney. Ron DeSantis (R) is trying to strip Walt Disney World The Most Magical Place on Earth, of its self-government power amid an ongoing battle with the states biggest sources of revenue. Brady, who has helped organize the local Pride celebrations in Dunedin, noted that each year's events attract major corporate sponsors. DeSantis signed the bill revoking Disneys control of the RCID in April of last year, but Disney argued that it couldnt be dissolved until the state pays out about $1 billion of the districts outstanding bond debt. The Axios Harris Poll ranked Disney as the fifth-most-polarizing brand in America; the company had been nearly neutral in 2021. Q: Do you see DeSantis running for president? 2023 Variety Media, LLC. A: They said they were pausing the donation, which is a lot different than stopping the donation, so I think that Disney was waiting until everything calmed down and then restart their donations. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Q: Didnt Disney say it would stop donating to Republicans (because of the new Dont Say Gay law)? For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. That is an eternity for Disney, which has zealously tried for 100 years to avoid political and cultural pitfalls for fear of tarnishing its happily-ever-after brand. A: Disney is well prepared for a fight. A few days later, Disney canceled plans for $1 billion project to build a new corporate campus in Orlando, which would have reportedly brought more than 2,000 jobs to the area, citing changing business conditions in the state. According to the bill, the districts would be dissolved as of June 1, 2023. DeSantis (Florida has since extended the ban to all grades.). Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday in The Villages. Florida. But that has led to problems that businesses are watching closely. We do not support nor endorse the videos narrative and strongly disapprove of the use of the content in this manner, Murphy wrote in a joint statement with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, Caryn Mandabach Productions, Tiger Aspect Productions and Banijay Rights. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Im sure that Disney has its lawyers already prepared to go into court should this pass to challenge it. Not only is DeSantis targeting of Disney viewed as a violation of conservatives cardinal rule (Be Nice To Corporations), but what better way to alienate normie voters than maligning an emblem of American nostalgia and cultural capital as perverts looking to sexualize children? Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. ' Alongside other images of shirtless men and horrifying headlines, there are two clips of Murphys Peaky Blinders character, Tommy Shelby. The edit, which was first shared by @ProudElephantUS and then reposted to DeSantis Rapid Response campaign account @DeSantisWarRoom, then pivots to a clip of outwardly queer rapper Tyler, the Creator yelling Psych! before boasting DeSantis various legislative attacks against LGBTQ people. Stephanie Hsu Clears the Air About Jamie Lee Curtis Oscar Win, Trump goes after DeSantis over Disney, saying its all so unnecessary and calling it a political STUNT.Disneys next move will be the announcement that no more money will be invested in Florida because of the Governor, he writes on Truth Social. Writing by David Gaffen DeSantis told Bloomberg the move wasnt retaliatory, but rather designed to create a fairer environment for all companies to do business. But DeSantis himself seemed to contradict that in his remarks before signing the bill into law. We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next ten years. And that, combined with Florida's extreme vulnerability to the effects of climate change, has wreaked havoc with the insurance market. Thats not an overstatement, said Richard Foglesong, a political scientist and the author of Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando.. In fact, if you remember from the COVID wars, the governor and Jerry Demings, the Orange County mayor, were fighting one another, so its not likely that Orange and Osceola are gonna have a lot of impact on this decision. It Was Really Bad, George Tickner, Founding Guitarist of Journey, Dies at 76, Peaky Blinders Denounces Homophobic Ron DeSantis Campaign Video: Cillian Murphy Footage Was Obtained Without Permission, The Other Two: Drew Tarver and Helne Yorke on Season 4 Hopes, Carys Nude Scenes and That Emotional Finale, called DeSantis actions a matter of retaliation, Wham! 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Unless attendance at the companys theme parks begins to drastically weaken no sign so far there is no reason to worry about Disneys overall business, analysts said. "This place has been growing rapidly prior to this, and independent of that project even being announced.". According to a state statute, once the Senate and House pass the bill with the governors signature, a majority of the district homeowners would have to vote in favor of dissolving the district, and since most people who live in RCID are employed by Disney, that scenario seems unlikely. Among other things, it prohibits classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity through the third grade and limits it for older students. The company quietly worked to sidestep the effort, catching the governor by surprise. Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond told Floridas News 6 that they were monitoring the situation because it would have a very big impact on taxpayers. DeSantis DeSantis HB 1557, dubbed by critics as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, limits early education teachings on sexual orientation or gender identity. It could hurt the counties, definitely. The Lake Nona real estate agents take some solace in the fact that Disney is entrenched in the area, with 75,000 employees and more than 50 years of history. In announcing the cancellation, Disney never mentioned the dispute, which began in 2022 when the company criticized DeSantis' Parental Rights in Education Act which critics call "Don't Say Gay" and DeSantis responded by taking over Disney's special development district around the Disney World theme park. The Disney and Ron DeSantis Feud, Explained Rolling For example, the main sponsor for this year's event was Duke Energy. The law states classroom instruction for students in kindergarten through third grade cannot include content about gender or sexual orientation that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.. DeSantis replaced all of the Disney-allied board members with five Republicans on Feb. 27. A: Its unclear whats going to happen. According to historical documents, the government created two municipalities within RCID Bay Lake and Reedy Creek, later named Lake Buena Vista nestled between Orange and Osceola Counties.