Florida Senate passes bill eliminating Disney’s self-governing status

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would eliminate Walt Disney World’s self-governing status in response to the company’s opposition to a new state law limiting discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools.

The Republican-led Senate voted 23 to 16 to do away with a special tax district that has allowed Walt Disney Co to self-govern the area of Orlando where its theme park complex has been sited since the late 1960s.

The bill still has to clear the House before it heads to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk. In a surprise move, DeSantis asked lawmakers to consider the legislation during a special session he called this week.

U.S. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, U.S. February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

The law seeks to eliminate special tax districts including the Reedy Creek Improvement District in Orlando. That structure makes Disney, which is one of the state’s largest private employers, and other landowners responsible for providing services such as fire fighting, power, water, and roads. They in turn get relief from taxes and fees.

The governor, a Republican who is a potential candidate for his party’s 2024 presidential nomination, wants to strike back at Disney for its opposition to a law that bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for students younger than about 9. DeSantis signed the legislation last month.

Disney came under fire for initially failing to take a public stand against the measure, which opponents say will harm the lesbian, gay, transgender, and queer communities.

Last month, the company condemned the legislation, saying it would pause all of its political donations in Florida.

Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. The change would go into effect in June 2023.

(Reporting by Maria Caspani, Editing by Cynthia Osterman)