I’m not by any means a fan of Big Mouse, but what DeSantis is trying to pull off here is just an appalling power grab. Curious to see how corporate behemoth Disney fights back, because they have a lot more supporters than DeSantis does. Via the Palm Beach Post:
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis ratcheted-up his yearlong fight with the Walt Disney Co., with a plan Friday to take control of the governing board for its sprawling Central Florida property and make the company assume $700 million in outstanding debt.
A public notice was posted in Osceola County that a bill would be introduced during the upcoming legislative session making major changes to the district. While not heavy with details, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ staff told Fox News that the legislation would give district control to a state-controlled board appointed by the governor.
After DeSantis and his statehouse lackeys passed a law last year to abolish the Reedy Creek Improvement District by this June, there have been concerns about how Disney’s enormous bond debt and the services on the company’s properties will be paid for if its taxing district goes away.
The proposed legislation, though, would put the bond debt on the company, shielding the taxpayers of Orange and Osceola counties, where the 38.5-square-mile Reedy Creek district is located.
They don’t fool me. Obviously, the plan is to keep turning the screws until Disney agrees to make Casey “Evita” DeSantis into a Disney princess — who just happens to be married to an aspiring dictator!
