Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that gives him control of the Walt Disney World Autonomous District, punishing the company for its opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.
The bill requires DeSantis, a Republican, to appoint a five-member board to oversee government services provided by the Disney district at its sprawling Florida theme park properties.
“Today the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end,” he said at a bill-signing ceremony in Lake Buena Vista. “There’s a new sheriff in town and accountability will be the order of the day.”
The signing came as DeSantis reportedly prepares for an expected presidential run and marks a high-profile legislative victory for a governor whose exploitation of cultural and political divides has brought him to the forefront of national Republican politics.
This weekend, DeSantis hosted a retreat with some top Republican donors and members of Congress, in what for many was the last sign of his anticipated run for the White House in 2024.
DeSantis moderated panel discussions focused on immigration, Covid-19 and the “Florida Plan” that he says his 19-point re-election victory in 2022 could provide for the rest of the country.
The takeover of the Disney district began last year when the entertainment giant, facing intense pressure, publicly opposed “Don’t Say Gay,” which bans instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity beginning in kindergarten. through third grade and lessons deemed not age appropriate.
DeSantis moved quickly to penalize the company, ordering lawmakers in the GOP-dominated Legislature to dissolve the Disney Autonomous District during a special legislative session, beginning a closely monitored restructuring process.
DeSantis and other Republican critics of Disney criticized the company for opposing the education bill, calling it a purveyor of “woke” ideology that injects inappropriate themes into children’s entertainment.
This month, the governor urged lawmakers to return to Capitol Hill for another special session to end state control of the district, as well as pass legislation on some of his other key legislative priorities on immigration and voter fraud.
By taking on Disney, DeSantis enhanced his reputation as a culture warrior willing to battle perceived political enemies and wield state government power to achieve political goals, a strategy that is expected to continue ahead of his potential White House run. .
The new law changes the name of the district from the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Supervisory District and places it under various levels of state supervision. Board members were previously appointed through entities controlled by Disney.
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