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

[lazyboy97o]

In my quick read the judge essentially says in her opinion Disney were trying to argue that the agreements were no longer in force in state court but their federal arguments hinged on the agreements being valid.

The judge states that if she rules for the CFTOD she feels that the federal claims are likely to fail - i.e. adopting the CFTOD argument entirely. She absolutely wants to rule on the hypothetical.

Just read it and I agree. The order pretty much straight up says that it’s being considered because it might influence the federal decision.

She also reiterated the District’s bizarre claim that the agreements would suddenly be applicable in five years under SB 1604.

She also buys into the nonsense claim that the District is being hindered in doing its work. The District still has not officially started work on a new comprehensive plan. They’re not being delayed on making changes to the development regulations because they don’t have an alternate plan to use as a basis as required by state law. And the only change they’ve even talked about is affordable housing which, due to state law, is now automatically allowed within most of the District.

 

[Surferboy567]

The fact that they seem sympathetic to the district worries me on the ruling. Especially in state court.

 

[drnilescrane]

The fact that they seem sympathetic to the district worries me on the ruling. Especially in state court.

It's hard not to read between the lines when legislative policy (i.e. intent) is invoked by the judge - i.e. she's not pleased with Disney attempting to circumvent the legislature, nor with their attempts to circumvent the Florida (i.e. her) courts.

The CFTOD lawyers have written exactly what the state court wants to hear.

 

[Surferboy567]

After thinking on this, given what was shared as a response I think it’s gonna be an uphill battle for Disney to win this in STATE court. Clearly the governor calls the shots and will do anything in his power to make him look correct.

I do however, Disney will have a much better shot in FEDERAL court. This should be a slamdunk case for Disney, but given how that response was worded maybe it won’t be as cut and dry as I originally thought.

 

[GoofGoof]

After thinking on this, given what was shared as a response I think it’s gonna be an uphill battle for Disney to win this in STATE court. Clearly the governor calls the shots and will do anything in his power to make him look correct.

I do however, Disney will have a much better shot in FEDERAL court. This should be a slamdunk case for Disney, but given how that response was worded maybe it won’t be as cut and dry as I originally thought.

If Disney loses in state court half the Federal case is gone. They could still win on the other grounds, but a loss in state court, which seems almost a lock at this point, will make it harder to win the Federal case now.

 

[seascape]

If Disney loses in state court half the Federal case is gone. They could still win on the other grounds, but a loss in state court, which seems almost a lock at this point, will make it harder to win the Federal case now.

If Disney wins in Federal Court that the reason for the first bill was a violation of their first amendment rights, then everything thereafter becomes unconstitutional. Now, that wont prevent the Legislature from passing a new bill but with as bad as Desantis is doing in his Presidental race he is losing power and I doubt the Legislature will continue to rubber stamp his desires. The only bill that has passed and become law that could survive is the monorail inspection bill.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

If Disney wins in Federal Court that the reason for the first bill was a violation of their first amendment rights, then everything thereafter becomes unconstitutional. Now, that wont prevent the Legislature from passing a new bill

Which highlights the danger of all of this, if Disney wins the state can simply enact a new law and Disneys only recourse is to sue again and start the long, expensive, legal process over again.

Disney loses even if Disney wins.

Ideally the voters should prevent this from happening but there’s a lot of states that are so one sided the politicians can do whatever they want with no fear of losing the next election.

 

[mikejs78]

If Disney loses in state court half the Federal case is gone. They could still win on the other grounds, but a loss in state court, which seems almost a lock at this point, will make it harder to win the Federal case now.

Maybe. Even if it goes to the FL supreme court and they agree that the contract is invalid, that could be appealed to the US supreme court, who may take it due to the importance of contract law to our functioning society.

 

[mikejs78]

If Disney wins in Federal Court that the reason for the first bill was a violation of their first amendment rights, then everything thereafter becomes unconstitutional. Now, that wont prevent the Legislature from passing a new bill but with as bad as Desantis is doing in his Presidental race he is losing power and I doubt the Legislature will continue to rubber stamp his desires. The only bill that has passed and become law that could survive is the monorail inspection bill.

Which highlights the danger of all of this, if Disney wins the state can simply enact a new law and Disneys only recourse is to sue again and start the long, expensive, legal process over again.

Disney loses even if Disney wins.

Ideally the voters should prevent this from happening but there’s a lot of states that are so one sided the politicians can do whatever they want with no fear of losing the next election.

If Disney wins on 1A grounds, there will likely be a consent decree stating that the district cannot be altered for a period of X years without Disney's consent.

 

[The Mom]

I know that it is difficult to focus just on the lawsuit, and not the people/personalities/politics involved, but if posters cannot do so then they should not post.

And since so many of you have done so - including allowing yourself to be led down the political rabbit hole by responding to overtly political posts - many posters will be given a short (one week) time-out.

 

[afterabme]

Is there any chance the new board can cancel the contracts for the road work that was approved prior to the state take over?

I know that during the last meeting in February or January, they approved contracts to expand many of the roadways around Disney, including world drive.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Is there any chance the new board can cancel the contracts for the road work that was approved prior to the state take over?

I know that during the last meeting in February or January, they approved contracts to expand many of the roadways around Disney, including world drive.

It would depend on the terms of the contracts.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Judge Schreiber’s order denying Disney’s motion to dismiss CFTOD’s case in state court is now on the county website as a PDF if anyone wants to read it in a format other than Facebook images.

https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/DocView/Doc?eCode=wZxHy3RsWKfKPQHUYlyHyPLacWcrXVcslnUF2XEQnsI3vBgjDXA%2FKQvnGLrK00vwFaOz0UsVM8cPQo%2FUyWqHk3OzDr3c%2FkVnOIpttw8uIzmxrgVaqdzqumbGSPYcDgmJnYB2Oqgs2RkEa5FqdzTiJQ%3D%3D

 

[lazyboy97o]

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (a real organization unlike the Galaxy Bar Association) has filed an amicus brief in support of Disney’s federal case.

Motion to File Amicus Brief – #64 in WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS US INC v. DESANTIS (N.D. Fla., 4:23-cv-00163) – CourtListener.com

***AMICUS BRIEF (ECF 64 AT 11-50) IS ACCEPTED AND DEEMED PROPERLY FILED PER 67 ORDER GRANTING 64 MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE AMICUS BRIEF*** --- Consent MOTION to File Amicus Brief Consent Motion and Memorandum in Support for Leave to File Brief of Amicus Curiae the Reporters Committee For Freedom...

www.courtlistener.com

 

[GCTales]

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (a real organization unlike the Galaxy Bar Association) has filed an amicus brief in support of Disney’s federal case.

Motion to File Amicus Brief – #64 in WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS US INC v. DESANTIS (N.D. Fla., 4:23-cv-00163) – CourtListener.com

***AMICUS BRIEF (ECF 64 AT 11-50) IS ACCEPTED AND DEEMED PROPERLY FILED PER 67 ORDER GRANTING 64 MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE AMICUS BRIEF*** --- Consent MOTION to File Amicus Brief Consent Motion and Memorandum in Support for Leave to File Brief of Amicus Curiae the Reporters Committee For Freedom...

www.courtlistener.com

Only other amicus briefs I really read were America's cup briefs arguing trust law...

This reads very much like them.. cogent, logical, documented and case referenced arguments.. in all, it appears well thought out.

Unlike the bag full of rats tossed in the river that was submitted by that celestial bar...

Hopefully it has an impact.

 

[DCBaker]

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting John Classe is no longer working for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

"Gov. Ron DeSantis’ tourism oversight district is no longer working with John Classe, a top official who led Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District for seven years before a state takeover and stayed on as a special adviser after being pushed aside.

Classe’s last day was on Monday, said Alexei Woltornist, a district spokesman.

“Mr. Classe was offered a consulting contract … to assist with the transition to the new leadership,” he said in an email. “That transition is now complete. The district thanks him for his service.”

The district, now known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, didn’t release additional details. Classe could not be reached for comment.

The district’s governor-appointed board appointed Glen Gilzean as administrator in May and kept Classe on as an adviser under a contract that runs through May 2024.

The contract allows Classe to resign or for the district to terminate the agreement early with or without reason. Examples of termination for reason include “a failure or refusal to comply with directives from the Board or Board designees,” or criminal or ethical violations.

The district did answer questions about which party ended the contract and on what grounds.

Classe started as deputy district administrator in 2015 and served in that role for about a year before being promoted to district administrator."

Full article below.

Ex-administrator Classe leaves DeSantis’ Disney district

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ tourism oversight district is no longer working with John Classe, a top official who led Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District for seven years before a stat…

www.orlandosentinel.com

 

[TtocsMc]

Anybody else google Alexei Woltornist? He seems like a pretty big deal to now act as a spokesperson for the district. Wonder what his salary is and how they can afford it…

 

[scottieRoss]

Anybody else google Alexei Woltornist? He seems like a pretty big deal to now act as a spokesperson for the district. Wonder what his salary is and how they can afford it…

Key takeaways from his biography, 4 years at Heritage Foundation. Then Republican Committee staff in the House, finally Trump Administration (DOJ and DHS). The rest of the firm is a bunch of former Trump staff as well.

 

[castlecake2.0]

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting John Classe is no longer working for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

"Gov. Ron DeSantis’ tourism oversight district is no longer working with John Classe, a top official who led Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District for seven years before a state takeover and stayed on as a special adviser after being pushed aside.

Classe’s last day was on Monday, said Alexei Woltornist, a district spokesman.

“Mr. Classe was offered a consulting contract … to assist with the transition to the new leadership,” he said in an email. “That transition is now complete. The district thanks him for his service.”

The district, now known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, didn’t release additional details. Classe could not be reached for comment.

The district’s governor-appointed board appointed Glen Gilzean as administrator in May and kept Classe on as an adviser under a contract that runs through May 2024.

The contract allows Classe to resign or for the district to terminate the agreement early with or without reason. Examples of termination for reason include “a failure or refusal to comply with directives from the Board or Board designees,” or criminal or ethical violations.

The district did answer questions about which party ended the contract and on what grounds.

Classe started as deputy district administrator in 2015 and served in that role for about a year before being promoted to district administrator."

Full article below.

Ex-administrator Classe leaves DeSantis’ Disney district

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ tourism oversight district is no longer working with John Classe, a top official who led Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District for seven years before a stat…

www.orlandosentinel.com

It seems he is still the City Manager of Lake Buena Vista, can anyone verify that?

 

[Cliff]

If Disney loses in state court half the Federal case is gone. They could still win on the other grounds, but a loss in state court, which seems almost a lock at this point, will make it harder to win the Federal case now.

Just a quick survey: Most of us here still agree today that Disney's legal team is pretty incredible and will legally stomp all over the state of Florida in the next months and years. Florida has nothing to stand on and will go down in flames.....right?