News Reedy Creek Improvement District and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

[lazyboy97o]

ing political is fine and legal, but that doesnt exist in a vacuum and actions have consequences. "Talk $#!t get hit" is a phrase for a reason.

No. Free speech means no government consequences for speech, especially political speech.

 

[peter11435]

not true. this is about keeping these companies out of the political arena. They have no business being there and should just stick to what they do best...entertainment!

Wrong. Companies are legally allowed to make political statements. It may not be wise from a business standpoint but that’s not justification for government retaliation. The government should not be silencing or keeping any one out of the political arena. Among many other things the first amendment is intended to prevent the government from silencing dissent.

 

[Tha Realest]

People don’t realize how scary this is or what the future implications are. And I’m not referring to its impact on Disney.

It is terrible. Just as it was for Chick-Fil-A, small bakeries, and religious groups that occasionally want to use public facilities. Maybe those up in arms now should have been allies to those groups then?

 

[lazyboy97o]

The state has granted you special permissions and privileges. You are now using your power and voice to place your thumb on the scale of the residents of Florida. Freedom of speech does not also mean freedom of consequence. If you don’t want to act as a neutral party, then you should be subjected to the same rules that every other business abides by.

Freedom of speech does mean freedom of government consequence. Please give an example of how any of Disney’s statements regarding legislation or their content creation misused the powers of the District.

 

[lordsigma]

All companies should stay out of the political arena or risk losing half the population. Disney should just stick to entertainment!

I don't disagree - but one can agree with that but also say Florida's retaliation is an unacceptable and disturbing over reaction and abuse.

 

[RickP330]

Bottom line, Chapek fouled this up. He should resign.
RP

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Freedom of speech does mean freedom of government consequence. Please give an example of how any of Disney’s statements regarding legislation or their content creation misused the powers of the District.

I’m not going to give you any examples you have special privileges and powers granted to by being a neutral entity. If you are now using your special rights, privileges, and power to now place your thumb on the scale of government you should now have no leg up on any competition. You don’t get to have special powers and also act against the hand that feeds you.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

www.cnbc.com
Florida taxpayers could face a $1 billion Disney debt bomb if its special ...

www.nytimes.com
Disney to Lose Special Florida Tax Status Amid 'Don't Say Gay' Clash

https://www.reuters.com › world
Factbox: What is the special tax designation Disney might lose?

I don't think you understand what you linked. RCID is a special taxing district, which means they levy additonal property taxes. It doesn't mean that the property owners within it are exempt from any state or local taxes. The only tax benefit derived from it is actually for the owners of any RCID debt because it can designate its bonds as being exempt from federal income taxes - so long as RCID follow certain rules for issuing the debt and follow those rules for the life of the debt. That typically results in lower interest rates being offered since the banks and brokers buying the debt don't have to worry about income taxes offsetting their interest earnings, but it provides literally zero tax benefit to Disney.

 

[the_rich]

The state has granted you special permissions and privileges. You are now using your power and voice to place your thumb on the scale of the residents of Florida. Freedom of speech does not also mean freedom of consequence. If you don’t want to act as a neutral party, then you should be subjected to the same rules that every other business abides by.

They are abiding by those rules. Consequences from customers is fine. Don't spend your money there, boycott, etc. They don't have to act as a neutral party. They are afforded protection under the first amendment. The gov made it clear they were doing this as punishment and that is indeed a violation of the constitution.

 

[englanddg]

Legislators stated their intent to punish Disney in session. This isn’t just gossip about their true motivations, they said it out loud on video multiple times.

If the districts really violated the state constitution there would be no need for the expense of a special session or legislation. The governor could just sue the district(s).

The stated intent will be brought up, I'm quite sure, but really isn't a strong legal argument. The question before the court is what the law actually DOES, not what a politician told a camera or posted on twitter. But, it will be a while before this filters through the courts. I'm sure Disney will pull some shotgun tactic lawfare as well.

I'm stating an argument I foresee they will make in defense.

1) It doesn't specifically target Disney, it targets all districts created before the 1968 ratification of the FL Constitution
2) It doesn't prevent districts, rather it clears up state constitutional conflicts which existed after the 1968 ratification. The districts can be reformed later, after review under the current state constitutional framework.

Please don't mistake this for support. But, you are free to dismiss, as you have.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Also if you go outside of twitter and read the comments elsewhere it doesn’t seem too positive for Disney.

I’m sure they’ll be fine but I hate hate hate politics mixed in to things.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

I’m not going to give you any examples you have special privileges and powers granted to by being a neutral entity. If you are now using your special rights, privileges, and power to now place your thumb on the scale of government you should now have no leg up on any competition. You don’t get to have special powers and also act against the hand that feeds you.

You seem to fundamentally misunderstand. The Government isn't allowed to take anything away that they were previously fine with you having just because you disagreed with them. That is, functionally, Free Speech in this country.

Disney has always been political, as has every major corporation in this country. Just because the greater portion of the public had no awareness of this does not discount its truth. They've always had stances, and many that many of us wouldn't agree with. We just didn't all see it so clearly. That does not make them a neutral entity. And it doesn't suddenly give the government the right to be withholding where it wasn't before.

 

[TikibirdLand]

Lol yeah that’s what happens. Only one side get censored.

View attachment 634684

Been there, been censored. And, comments like this will likely be as well.

 

[castlecake2.0]

My brain explodes every time someone says “free speech doesn’t mean free from consequence”.

 

[Bender123]

No. Free speech means no government consequences for speech, especially political speech.

Then they also shouldnt get favors, correct?

When your penalty is erasing the loopholes that you bought, then is it really a penalty? Its not like they are being put at a disadvantage or having a basic liberty taken away, they are losing a corporate welfare grant that they had no business having in the first place.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Amazing how one tactless talking head (B.C.) can stimulate such a storm. Presentation and tact can make a difference on many levels. I quote a great statesman Sir Winston Churchill "Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way they look forward to the trip."

 

[andysol]

What exactly are you talking about? The bill is about parental rights - the right not to have a discussion about sex and transgender in schools with k-3 grades. Any trans or LGBQ employee can talk to their children about anything they want to. How about the right of parents to decide? How about the rights of non LGBQ or trans employees to be able to not have schools discussing sex with their small children? Maybe you should read the bill. Disney has no business getting involved in left wing politics.

And ask what employee’s rights are being attacked.

They’ll never have an answer. Because there isn’t a right being attacked.

Unless by rights, they mean a teacher’s right to have an open conversation about transgenderism with a group of 6 year olds instead of merely deflecting and going back to learning how to read.

 

[castlecake2.0]

I’m against this bill as I also believe it’s targeting and silencing free speech, even if it might be legal.


But I also love the irony that this bit Disney in the butt.

And let me be clear- disney DOES NOT care about the LGBTQ community.
Same sex marriage is illegal in Japan still. See any protesting on behalf of TWDC re: Tokyo DLR?
Gay people aren’t allowed to cruise together in China and Disney cruise line abides by those rules. See any protesting on behalf of TWDC re: Shanghai or Hong Kong DLR or DCL?

Of course not. So the irony is- they did do this because they thought it would be wise from business standpoint. Which is clearly was not.

Cya Bob.

Disney Cruise Line does not and never has sailed to China?

 

[Prince-1]

Don’t twist words, that’s not nice. You know exactly what I meant by what I said.

Then make sure your words are clear especially with the topic being discussed. I didn't think you meant anything but based on some of the disgusting comments that people have posted in this thread in the past few days you never know.

 

[durangojim]

Basically yes. Getting rid of rcid in and of itself isn't the issue. Its the blatant punishment because of their opinion.

So then if what the state is doing is not illegal how can it be a punishment? I feel like I’m missing something here but I’m not sure what.