DeSantis Heralds End of Walt Disney World's 'Corporate Kingdom'

Spencer Brown / Townhall Tipsheet

 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed House Bill 9-B into law on Monday, the legislation officially dissolving the self-governing status afforded to Walt Disney World and ending other special privileges while establishing a district controlled by the state government that is "accountable to the people of Florida."

The law ended Disney's self-government of the county-like Reedy Creek Improvement District and removed exemptions from state building and fire codes as well as regulatory reviews. 

DeSantis also heralded the legislation for providing more transparency, ensuring that Disney pays its fair share of taxes, and ending Disney's preferential treatment compared to other companies doing business in Florida. The changes noted by DeSantis include a requirement that Disney to pay its municipal debts, rather than those balances being passed on to Sunshine State taxpayers. Read more, see tweets and video here.