Disney vs. DeSantis: Feud Intensifies Over Governance and Speech
The conflict between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appears to have escalated further with the latest salvo. Disney has cited a study conducted by Oxford Economics, covering the fiscal year 2022, to emphasize its significant economic impact on Central Florida, where Walt Disney World is located. According to the study, Disney provided a $40.3 billion impact and is responsible for 263,000 jobs in the region.
Disney claims that this economic contribution was before Governor DeSantis disbanded Disney’s self-governing oversight district and replaced it with a new board consisting of self-appointed members. The governor’s decision to strip Disney of its self-governing Reedy Creek Improvement District was a response to Disney’s public questioning of his policy on teaching gender identification, commonly known as the ‘don’t say gay’ law.
The conflict between Disney and DeSantis has been ongoing for almost two years, marked by verbal disputes and legal actions. Lawsuits are pending in both state and federal courts, with Disney alleging that its free speech rights were violated and that the governor acted in a retaliatory manner.
The study highlighted by Disney indicates that the company is responsible for one in every eight jobs in Central Florida, with 263,000 jobs being triple the workforce at Disney World. While some people support the governor’s efforts in challenging the entertainment giant, others question his motivations for battling the state’s largest employer.
It’s worth noting that in September, Disney CEO Bob Iger had pledged to tone down the feud with the governor, but the recent developments suggest that tensions persist. The situation remains complex and is likely to continue attracting attention as legal proceedings unfold.
