While the fight over Disney World’s special district near Orlando, Florida, continues, the scope of the dispute has narrowed.
Disney dropped its claims in a Tuesday complaint. Ron DeSantis is not being sued for any First Amendment claims.
The filing has been withdrawn, and the Contracts Clauses, Takings Clauses and Due Process Clauses have also disappeared. The suit will now focus chiefly around the Florida governor and what they see as retaliatory measures that were enacted against the company following their response to DeSantis’ so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
In response to Disney finally speaking out against the bill (after much hemming and hawing by then-CEO Bob Chapek), DeSantis began a campaign that would weaken and then remove Disney’s powers over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a self-governing body that had been in place in Florida since the late 1960s. Back then, Florida tried to convince Disney not to build a Californian ski resort.
Disney can supervise larger infrastructure projects, new construction and development, and maintain its roads, bridges and canals under Reedy Creek.
DeSantis took Reedy Creek on as part of a vendetta against Walt Disney World, despite the fact that he has now admitted to getting married at Walt Disney World. Earlier this year the Reedy Creek Improvement District’s board was disbanded and a new quorum established in its place (filled with people installed by DeSantis).
Also, they changed the name to Central Florida Tourism Oversight District from Reedy Creek Improvement District. There have, however, been several lawsuits filed since that time, some relating to legislation passed before DeStantis was appointed and others involving the ongoing issue of DeStantis’ retaliatory actions.
Pamela Chelin has contributed to the report.
