According to an official Florida government news release, Governor Ron DeSantis has named Charbel Barakat to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board — responsible for the governance of a special administrative district mostly comprised of Walt Disney World property. Barakat, of Tampa, is the Regional General Counsel for D.R. Horton, Inc. He currently serves … Read more
“There will be no compromise,” Governor Ron DeSantis said about the legal battle with Disney during his Presidential campaign kickoff speech in Iowa last night. We run the state of Florida. They do not run the state of Florida. We stand for the protection of our children. We will fight those who seek to rob … Read more
We bring you a lot of stories every single day. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up. So in case you missed anything from our feed, we have rounded up all our stories in one place to get the news at a glance. Here is your Daily Recap for Thursday, May 25, 2023. Walt Disney World EPCOT … Read more
Yahoo News and YouGov conducted a joint poll of 1,584 U.S. adults from May 5 to 8 regarding the feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company. Disney vs. DeSantis Poll Yahoo News and YouGov asked adults the following: “Last year, Disney publicly criticized a Florida law that bans discussion of sexual … Read more
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed SB 1604 into law, including the amendment voiding Disney and Reedy Creek Improvement District’s Development Agreement. The bill was introduced into the Florida Senate, and passed there 27-13. It passed the Florida House 75-34. Governor DeSantis signed it into law this afternoon, with no press conference. Here is the … Read more
Though they have already been enacting changes, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors has only now been officially confirmed by the Florida Senate. They were appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, but confirmation from the Senate was required, too. Board chair Martin Garcia and vice chair Michael Sasso will serve four-year terms … Read more
After passage by the Senate, the Florida House of Representatives passed SB 1604: Land Use and Development Regulations. The bill includes an amendment that would void Disney and Reedy Creek Improvement District’s Development Agreement. The bill passed the Florida Senate 27-13 and passed the Florida House 75-34. Governor DeSantis is expected to sign it into … Read more
During a “law and order” session today to sign various bills into law, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also commented on his ongoing war with Walt Disney World. Governor DeSantis said that Disney is acting “like they have the ability to veto” and said, “It is basically putting their thumb in the eye of the voters.” … Read more
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) Board of Supervisors voted to authorize legal action against Disney Parks & Resorts and other such parties in response to Disney’s lawsuit against the board and Governor DeSantis. The Board of Supervisors called an emergency meeting this morning to respond to the lawsuit filed against them and the … Read more
U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Fitzpatrick has recused himself from the lawsuit Walt Disney Parks & Resorts filed Wednesday against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his personally-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board. Fitzpatrick stated he is related “in the third degree” to someone employed by one of the parties, and sought to avoid any potential … Read more
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has responded to Disney Parks & Resorts suing him and his Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors over their voiding Disney’s Development Agreement with the old Reedy Creek Improvement District Board. During a press conference in Jerusalem, part of his “international trade mission,” DeSantis said, “I don’t think the … Read more
Walt Disney World is suing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors he appointed. Disney Files Lawsuit Against Governor DeSantis & CFTOD Board Disney names DeSantis, Meredith Ivey (Acting Secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity), Martin Garcia (Board Chair), and Board members Michael Sasso, Brian Aungst, … Read more
After voiding Disney’s final agreement with the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors voted to make it illegal for businesses within the district to exercise any COVID-19 preventative measures. At the start of the Wednesday meeting, several Disney Springs business owners appeared before the board to express their … Read more
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis has officially voted to void Disney’s final agreement with the previous Reedy Creek Improvement District board. During their Wednesday meeting, the Board of Supervisors declared the Development Agreement and Declaration of Restrictive Covenants null and void. They cited a failure to … Read more
Republican Senator Nick DiCeglie has filed an amendment to require state inspections for the Walt Disney World Monorails. The amendment was added to SB 1250 regarding the Florida Department of Transportation. It states the “department shall adopt by rule minimum safety standards for governmentally owned fixed-guideway transportation systems, privately owned or operated fixed-guideway transportation systems … Read more
Amidst the rising and continued tension between Walt Disney World and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, North Carolina state senator Michael Garrett has introduced Senate Bill 594, “Mickey’s Freedom Restoration Act,” which invites Disney to the Tar Heel State and, ultimately, paves the way for any major new theme park to stake its claim in the … Read more