This week, the Governor Ron DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) launched its new website. The website launches as DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company remain embroiled in a legal dispute.
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Launches New Website
The new website provides visitors with ways to access information about the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, view press releases, apply for jobs, and request public records. The website reveal occurred amid the current legal battles between The Walt Disney Company and DeSantis, with Central Florida Tourism Oversight District being a major part of that feud.
Proposed Bill to Revert CFTOD to RCID
The reveal of the website also coincides with Florida State Senator Linda Stewart proposing a bill that would return control of this district to Reedy Creek. Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) was a specially-created district that allowed Walt Disney World to be responsible for certain governing activities. It was dissolved by DeSantis amid a dispute with Disney, in which the company publicly expressed disagreement with the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida.
Prior to the long-running dispute between Disney and DeSantis, RCID took care of many responsibilities for public access at Walt Disney World, including paving roads and answering E-911 phone calls.
The new bill seeks to revert the district back to Reedy Creek’s control and dissolve the new CFTOD. Reedy Creek, which otherwise existed and managed these services since its inception under Florida State Senate’s approval in 1966, continues to exist in name only in many places around the district, such as on the fire department and emergency services vehicles.
Earlier this week, a meeting was held to discuss the bill to restore the RCID. At the meeting, three Republican lawmakers walked out, rendering the group unable to vote on the bill as they no longer had a quorum.
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