DeSantis official takes victory lap on Disney legislation to revoke special privileges
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ deputy press secretary, Jeremy Redfern, took a victory lap after lawmakers began to move forward with finalizing the Walt Disney Company’s Reedy Creek Improvement District situation in Central Florida.
“The Corporate Kingdom is over. The legislation imposes a state-controlled board with members appointed by the governor on Disney and its property,” Redfern said. “Just how insane was the original deal? Disney could acquire property beyond the District’s territory via eminent domain.”
The bill is in line with what DeSantis’ office previously planned, which was to ensure Disney is responsible for all its debts, that locals in Orange and Osceola County would not pay higher taxes, and would enact a DeSantis-appointed board to replace the current one.
Redfern noted that Disney will pay “$700+ million in unsecured debt – not Florida taxpayers,” and that new legislation would create an “avenue to compel Disney to contribute to local infrastructure.”
But when Florida lawmakers in 2022 moved forward to initially revoke Disney’s privileges, reports circulated that locals would bear the burden of taxes.
“End of Reedy Creek: Disney won’t pay more taxes, but you will,” a headline from WFTV9‘s Nick Papantonis read in April 2022.
“One of the biggest myths circulating on the internet is that the end of Reedy Creek will finally force Disney to pay its fair share of taxes, boosting the economies of Florida and the counties its resorts are located in,” he reported. “Let’s dispel that rumor right now: not only is it wrong, it’s the opposite that will take effect.”
Redfern circled back this week, asking the reporter, “Can I get an update? Thanks.”
Lawmakers plan to tackle the Reedy Creek Improvement District this week. A memo said it “revises the governance and powers of Reedy Creek Improvement District, while protecting local taxpayers from the District’s debts.” Florida’s Voice previously reported that a proposal was in the works to create a state-run board to control the Reedy Creek Improvement District and require that Disney still pay all of its debts.
