Remember the speculation that DeSantis would destroy woke Disney when he announced that the Florida legislature would be reconsidering Disney’s immense privileges? Well, that didn’t happen. The legislature made a few superficial changes to Disney’s status and then went ahead and gave Disney everything else it wanted.
As Florida firebrand Anthony Sabatini pointed out on Twitter, the sales and property tax exemption remains, Disney can still raise money with tax-free bonds for improvements in the district it controls, and it has special access to fast track permitting:
The Florida Legislature caved to Woke Disney last month by passing a Bill that gave Disney every power it wanted, including:
-exemption from sales tax & property tax
-tax-free bonds
-expedited permittingSo now Disney is taking a victory lap👇https://t.co/UxcH2KzdAP
— Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) March 24, 2023
And it’s not just Sabatini making that claim. The Hollywood Reporter, on the other side of things as him politically, noted that Disney’s privileges were largely remaining despite DeSantis’s declaration of victory, saying:
Despite a Florida bill empowering Gov. Ron DeSantis to take control of its special tax district, Disney will get to keep most of the perks that’s allowed the company to self-govern the land on its theme park resort for over 50 years.
Legislation introduced on Monday by Republicans in Florida’s Legislature would reshape the leadership structure and change the name of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. But under the bill, Disney would retain almost all of its exemptions from a host of regulations, taxes and fees in addition to powers allowing it to act much like its own government, including the issuance of bonds. The proposal advances DeSantis’ crusade seeking to overhaul the education establishment as he positions himself for a presidential run next year by cornering Disney into keeping quiet on cultural issues, like gender identity and sexual orientation, or risk having him disrupt company operations.
So, though the governor can now appoint the five members of the board that oversee the district, the actual privileges granted to Disney remain and it didn’t take a big financial hit like those who cheered DeSantis’s victory suggested would be the case.
And so now Disney is hosting “the largest LGBTQ+ conference in the world” next fall, seemingly poking Florida in the eye as it gloats over its victory. Here’s what the Orlando Sentinal reported about the event:
Walt Disney World will host what’s billed as “the largest LGBTQ+ conference in the world” in September as Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to champion his victory over the company in the fight over the so-called “don’t say gay” bill last year and legislators crack down on diversity and inclusion measures statewide.
Out & Equal, a California-based LGBTQ+ workplace equality organization, will hold its 2023 Workplace Summit at the Disney resort Sept. 11-14, a Disney spokesperson who declined to be identified told the Orlando Sentinel. The Miami Herald first reported news of the conference Thursday.
The event is expected to draw over 5,000 people, who will discuss gay and transgender inclusivity and equality in the workplace.
Disney has worked with the organization for years. Out & Equal’s website lists The Walt Disney Co. as one of its top sponsors, along with Apple, Bank of America and other corporations. A Disney marketing executive, Lisa Becket, is on Out & Equal’s Board of Directors, and Disney World has hosted events with Out & Equal before, including an LGBT Equality Institute workshop in 2015.
Many commenters on Sabatini’s post were disillusioned with DeSantis, saying things like:
“Where’s DeSantis? His he still on his book tour? Trump is most likely right again. DeSantis is a mediocre governor and has been propped up to look good by the media.”
“But wait I thought Desantis took all of Disney special privileges..Oh that s right that was all a publicity stunt like everything else he does..”
“But Desantis got his headlines. usually sound great but then you look at the issue and it was as he would put it ‘a circus”’
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