Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference at Reedy Creek Fire Station this morning and signed the legislation for the government to take over Reedy Creek Improvement District into law.
DeSantis declared that the “corporate kingdom will come to an end” and there was a “new sheriff in town.” He doubled down on the law being a response to The Walt Disney Company opposing Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill, which was virally known as “Don’t Say Gay,” referencing the California-based company’s attempts to “inject sexuality and impose agenda” in Florida. He stated these are not the values the state wants to promote and emphasized the “safety of students and rights of parents” as well as treating Walt Disney World the same as other Florida theme parks.
The chief of the fire department thanked DeSantis in a speech and spoke about the alleged mistreatment of firefighters on the part of Disney. The fire department has supported the state takeover.
Another speech was by a former Walt Disney World Annual Passholder who complained about COVID-19 safety precautions.
The new law renames the district the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board and consists of a board appointed only by the governor of Florida residents who cannot have worked in the theme park industry within three years. It will no longer dissolve the district on June 1, 2023. Walt Disney World will no longer lose their tax exemptions.
The first meeting of the new board will be on Wednesday, March 8. Among the board members are Martin Garcia, Mike Sasso, and Ron Peri.
Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle said they are “ready to work” with the government as they take control of Reedy Creek.
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