Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill ending Disney’s 'corporate kingdom'

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday giving the state control of Walt Disney World’s special tax district, which gave the Orlando theme park a large degree of autonomy. 

“The corporate kingdom finally comes to an end,” DeSantis said during a press event at Lake Buena Vista near Orlando. “There’s a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day.”

The bill rebrands Disney’s self-governed Reedy Creek Improvement District as the “Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.” With the state now in control of the district, the DeSantis administration can appoint the members of the five-person oversight board. 

Disney had operated as a state-within-a-state for over 50 years. The company had the ability to issue bonds, levy taxes, and controlled several other public services, such as the police and fire department, waste collection, and road maintenance. With the new law, Disney will now have to comply with state regulations like any other Orlando theme park.

“Allowing a corporation to control its own government is bad policy, especially when the corporation makes decisions that impact an entire region,” said DeSantis. “This legislation ends Disney’s self-governing status, makes Disney live under the same laws as everybody else, and ensures that Disney pays its debts and fair share of taxes.”

Last year, DeSantis clashed with Disney over a law banning schools from teaching about gender and sexual orientation to students below fourth grade. In March, Disney’s former CEO, Bob Chapek publicly criticized the bill, known as “Don’t Say Gay” by its critics, and lobbied against the law, claiming that it would isolate and stigmatize LGBT youth. 

DeSantis responded by vowing to strip Disney of its special governing power during a special legislative session, calling it a purveyor of “woke” ideology.