DeSantis fires back at Disney as company tries to 'usurp' state oversight
FOX NewsNov 26, 2022
The Facts
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday said the Fla. state legislature will revoke a development agreement that Disney, the state’s largest employer, made with outgoing members of an oversight board to avoid state supervision.
DeSantis last year signed legislation to end Disney’s self-governing status in Florida and replace members of an oversight board with appointees from his office. Recently, it was revealed that Disney negotiated a deal with the prior board to nullify the effects of that law and retain control of development rights on its properties for many years to come in a move that DeSantis called illegal.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Disney acts as though it’s above the law when it’s not. Had Disney just negotiated with the DeSantis administration about its special district instead of working outside deals with board members, there would be no need for the governor’s office to pursue this legislation. Of course, had Disney known its place and refrained from making political statements, it probably wouldn’t have drawn DeSantis’ wrath in the first place.
Democratic narrative
DeSantis had no problem with Disney’s operations when it was contributing to his gubernatorial campaigns and staying silent on politics. Now that he’s been outmaneuvered by the company on the special-district legislation, the governor is willing to put the state’s safety and economy on the line to look strong for potential presidential voters. But Disney just might have more resources and options than the governor to outfox this one.
