Florida Gov. DeSantis takes control of Disney’s self-governing district in payback for company’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill opposition

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that gives him jurisdiction over Walt Disney World’s self-governing district, while leaving its underlying financial structure intact.

The legislation, signed Monday, empowers him to appoint a five-member board that will oversee the government services that Disney has provided in its theme parks throughout the state since the 1960s. It will be known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, under the new law.

“Today the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end,” DeSantis said, signing the bill during a ceremony in Lake Buena Vista. “There’s a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day.”

Florida Republicans passed the bill earlier this month in retaliation for Disney’s opposition to the so-called Don’t Say Gay law passed last year. That law prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity to children in kindergarten through third grade.

The new legislation gives DeSantis control of the district by establishing several layers of state oversight. Before, Disney-controlled entities chose board members. Now, those decisions are up to DeSantis.

In leaving the financial underpinnings and debt obligations intact, the oversight law skirts potentially problematic provisions regarding the district’s debt. At the same time, it bars people who have worked or had contracts with a theme park in the past three years from serving on the new governing board.

DeSantis is reportedly readying for a presidential run and has a book coming out on Tuesday, “The Courage to Be Free.”

Disney did not immediately comment.

With News Wire Services