The state revoked its self-governing authority in a highly publicized feud over the company's political activities, Ron DeSantis said.
On Wednesday, Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. Inc. filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, alleging DeSantis orchestrated a targeted campaign of government retaliation against the company that violates Disney's free speech rights. The lawsuit came after a board appointed by DeSantis to govern the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District - which houses Disney World resort - voted to nullify two development contracts Disney signed in February.
The nullified contracts laid the foundation for billions of Disney's investment dollars and thousands of jobs. We are unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other companies in the state, said DeSantis' Communications Director, Taryn Fenske. This lawsuit is yet another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law, Fenske said.
The lawsuit now involves courts, in a battle between DeSantis and Disney that began when the House of Mouse campaigned to overturn Florida's Parental Rights in Education law, which detractors misleadingly labeled the Don't Say Gay bill. DeSantis, widely expected to run for President in 2024, responded by pushing the Florida legislature to strip Disney's self-governing authority and create a new board, full of his appointees, which now has control over the theme park's development.
Before the new board took over, Disney pushed through changes to the special tax district agreement that limited the board's action for decades.
The DeSantis board on Wednesday said Disney's move to retain control over their property was effectively unlawful and performed without proper public notice.
The fight between Disney and this board has been hotly contested. We were not looking out for a fight, said Martin Garcia, chair of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Disney wants the court to declare its actions illegal and unenforceable. According to DeSantis, the company points to statements made in April suggesting that Florida should tax Disney's hotels, put tolls on the roads, and even build a state prison next to Walt Disney World as evidence of targeted retaliation.
But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials, the company said in its complaint.