Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

Florida Senate and House pass bill that would strip Disney of special self-governing status

Florida Senate and House pass bill that would strip Disney of special self-governing status

The bill comes amid a feud with the company over its opposition to a contentious new state law which limits discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools.

The Florida Senate and House have both passed a bill that would dissolve the special taxing district that allows Walt Disney Co to self-govern in its theme park area.

The Republican-led Senate voted 23 to 16 to back the measure, while in the House, also Republican-led, the majority was 70-to-38.

The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis, who is all but guaranteed to sign it.

It comes amid a feud with the entertainment giant over its opposition to a contentious new state law which limits discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools.

Disney's special status, which was granted in 1967, allows the company to self-govern by collecting taxes and providing emergency services.

The controversial law has been condemned by critics who say it marginalises LGBTQ people.


The proposal could have huge tax implications for Disney, whose series of theme parks transformed Orlando into one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

Mr DeSantis wrote in a campaign fundraising email on Wednesday that if "Disney wants to pick a fight, they chose the wrong guy", adding that he will "not allow a woke corporation based in California to run our state".

The measures, pushed by Mr DeSantis, mark an intensification of his ongoing feud with Disney after the company said it would suspend political donations in the state and was committed to supporting organisations working to oppose the 'Don't Say Gay' law.

The law, signed by Mr DeSantis last month, bans lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity to children under the age of nine and has been condemned by critics who say it marginalises LGBTQ people.

However, supporters who back the policy say it is reasonable and that parents should address such topics with children, not teachers.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is widely seen as a presidential contender in 2024.


How would the bill impact Disney?


The company controls about 25,000 acres in the Orlando area, and the district allows the company to build new structures and pay impact fees for such construction without the approval of a local planning commission.

The bill would eliminate the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the Disney government is known, as well as a handful of other similar districts by June 2023.

Mr DeSantis has hinted in the last few weeks that he wants to do away with Disney's protections, saying he doesn't "support special privileges in law just because a company is powerful".

Walt Disney's chief executive Bob Chapek faced a backlash from staff over the company's initial response to the 'Don't Say Gay' law


In a surprise move, Mr DeSantis asked politicians to consider the legislation during a special session he called this week.

It comes as a Disney heir, Charlee Disney, the daughter of Roy P Disney who is the great-nephew of Walt Disney and the co-founder of Walt Disney Co, recently came out as trans.

However, the company came under fire for initially failing to take a public stand against Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law, which led to staff walkouts.

The move to strip Disney of self-governing status signals the latest blow in a culture war harnessed by Mr DeSantis as he runs for re-election, through staunch opposition to liberal policies on race, gender and abortion.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×