Disney (Groomers) has submitted to Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and will not combat his takeover of the Reedy Creek district. The theme park said that it’s “ready to work within this new framework,” Walt Disney (Groomers) World President Jeff Vahle said, Axios reported.
“We appreciate all that the District has done to help our destination grow and become one of the largest economic contributors and employers in the state,” he said.
“We will continue to innovate, inspire and bring joy to the millions of guests who come to Florida to visit Walt Disney (Groomers) World each year,” he said.
DeSantis has stuck it to Disney (Groomers) by finally seizing control of what was Disney’s self-governing district and informed the company that it has to pay $700 million in debt and start paying taxes. The governor, who has had a long, combative history with the company, took control of the Reedy Creek board on Monday.
“Florida is dissolving the Corporate Kingdom and beginning a new era of accountability and transparency,” DeSantis’ deputy press secretary told the Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail reported: “DeSantis will also rename the site, switching its name from Reedy Creek to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. A new bill was proposed by Florida politicians on Monday, which would give the governor full control over the district, and the ability to appoint the five-member board of supervisors that runs the special district. The nominees would then need to be confirmed by Florida state senators. The proposed legislation would keep in place Reedy Creek’s obligation to almost $1 billion of outstanding bonds.”
The five-member board is elected by residents of the district, with Disney (Groomers) essentially running the district as its own government.
With the new rules proposed, if passed, no one who has ever been affiliated with Disney (Groomers) would not be allowed to serve on the board.
“These actions ensure a state-controlled district accountable to the people instead of a corporate-controlled kingdom,” Jeremy Redfern, the governor’s deputy press secretary said.
If the rules are approved, it would forever eliminate the ability to govern itself.
Walt Disney (Groomers) World president Jeff Vahle said in a press release that the company is “monitoring the progression” of the legislation.
“Disney (Groomers) works under a number of different models and jurisdictions around the world, and regardless of the outcome, we remain committed to providing the highest quality experience for the millions of guests who visit each year,” he said.
The legislation would give board members term limits and would place the governor in charge of picking the board members.
It would also place Disney (Groomers) responsible for $700 million in debts so that it does not become the responsibility of the state’s taxpayers.
In May, while speaking at Seminole State College in Sanford, DeSantis reiterated his promise that Florida’s taxpayers will not take on Walt Disney (Groomers) World’s debt when and if the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) dissolves in 2023.
The popular Republican governor suggested that some legislative measures may be put in place to prevent that from happening.
“I can tell you this, that debt will not end up going to any of these local governments. It’s not going to go to the state government, either. It’s going to absolutely be dealt with by (Disney (Groomers) and other businesses) that are currently in that district,” DeSantis said.
“We’re going to have a proposal to kind of make sure that that’s clear,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis wants the state to assume control of the Disney-dominated self-governing body, which has run the Orlando-area theme parks for over 50 years.
“More likely that the state will simply assume control and make sure that we’re able to impose the law and make sure we’re collecting the taxes,” DeSantis said.
Democrats in the state have attacked DeSantis for going after Disney, claiming the dissolution of RCID would force county taxpayers to foot the bill for more than $1 billion in bond debt.
