(Tony Sifert, Headline USA) In the aftermath of Disney’s obnoxious response to the passage of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education legislation — the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked the state legislature to terminate Disney’s ability to operate as an “independent special district” within the state of Florida, the Associated Press reported.
Disney tried to go to war against Florida families. Gov. DeSantis says it’s time to revisit their special privileges. https://t.co/1r5X1RFbDY
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) April 19, 2022
“[The legislature] will be considering termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968, and that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District,” DeSantis said during a press conference.
DeSantis also issued an official proclamation announcing his decision.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District is a “private government controlled by Disney World . . . that allows it to provide government services such as zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure,” according to the AP.
Politico reported that “special district” status allows Disney “to build its own structures without seeking approval from a local planning commission and collect taxes and issue bonds.”
DeSantis’ decision comes a month after Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced that the company was “pausing all political donations in the state of Florida” in response to the passage in early March of a Parental Rights in Education bill that prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through 3rd grade.
The Left quickly re-christened the legislation the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and attempted to steamroll Florida politicians into Woke compliance.
In one example, Mayor Pete’s husband, Chasten Buttigieg, took to Twitter to complain that the legislation would make it illegal to “acknowledge the existence” of LGBTQ students in Florida.
Undaunted, DeSantis signed the bill on March 28.
Republican House Speaker Chris Sprowls supported DeSantis’ decision to challenge Disney’s special status.
“They used their platform to perpetuate what we believe to be a lie, which is that the bill did one thing that it really didn’t do at all,” Sprowls told Politico.
“I think the governor’s anger was well placed.”
