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

[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?

 

[Chi84]

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?

The law isn't that simplistic. What I can say from reading the pleadings is that Disney's legal team is following the usual process, while the attorneys representing Florida appear to be drafting pleadings for someone other than the court.

My own thoughts are that Disney has a strong First Amendment claim - at least according to precedent. But there is no question that local courts have always been sensitive to influences other than the law and this seems to be creeping into federal courts as well.

My take is this is not a good trend; the people have their elected representatives in the legislative and executive branches. The courts are supposed to be above all of that and ensure that the principles enshrined in the constitution are not trampled in service to current majority whims.

 

[LAKid53]

The law isn't that simplistic. What I can say from reading the pleadings is that Disney's legal team is following the usual process, while the attorneys representing Florida appear to be drafting pleadings for someone other than the court.

My own thoughts are that Disney has a strong First Amendment claim - at least according to precedent. But there is no question that local courts have always been sensitive to influences other than the law and this seems to be creeping into federal courts as well.

My take is this is not a good trend; the people have their elected representatives in the legislative and executive branches. The courts are supposed to be above all of that and ensure that the principles enshrined in the constitution are not trampled in service to current majority whims.

Yes, the attorneys have an audience that isn't just the courts.

And I agree with you regarding the encroachment of non-legal principles into the courts at all levels.

 

[GrumpyFan]

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

Some great arguments made in this filing in support of Disney's First Amendment violation claims.
It's a good read, even for those who aren't in the legal profession, and it's not too difficult to follow.
Here's a few snippets from the conclusion.

There can be no serious question whether the First Amended Complaint amply
alleges that the State of Florida targeted Disney to retaliate against its dissenting
speech. It is plain from the content and context of these statutes, Governor
DeSantis’s repeated public comments and memoir, the debate in the Legislature, and
public comments by Florida legislators and members of the Central Florida Tourism
Oversight Board. All are undisguised expressions of retaliatory intent catalogued in
the First Amended Complaint.

Defendants also argue that “even if the bills targeted” Disney specifically,
Disney still has no recourse because Defendants have the “sovereign prerogative to
reorganize a local government that provides services and levies taxes in a major
metropolitan region.” State Defendants’ Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion
to Dismiss, Dkt. 49, at 22. But simply because a state may pass a law to “reorganize
a local government” in general, that does not mean the state may pass such a law
with a retaliatory motive. Defendants do not have the “sovereign prerogative” to
abridge an individual’ (or corporation’s) First Amendment rights by passing
retaliatory legislation designed to punish that individual (or corporation) for their
protected speech.

Defendants do not even try to argue that these laws were not motivated by
retaliation—nor could they at the motion to dismiss stage, where the allegations in
the First Amended Complaint must be taken as true. Instead, Defendants try to
immunize this alleged conduct entirely from judicial review. Were that the law, First
Amendment retaliation claims, even in the face of manifest evidence of retaliatory
motive, would be much more difficult to bring, jeopardizing well-established
constitutional protections strengthening the independence of the press.

This is a significant First Amendment case. One of the world’s largest
companies has alleged that a state openly acted to punish it for speaking out on issues
of public concern—and the State has admitted as much. The motions to dismiss
should be denied.

I can only hope the court weighs this and will rule appropriately.

 

[DCBaker]

New press release from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Today, District Administrator, Glenton Gilzean announced the abolition of all DEI programs at the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The announcement comes after the Reedy Creek Improvement District implemented hiring and contracting programs that discriminated against Americans based on gender and race, costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

The announcement comes after an internal investigation into the district’s policies. The district’s DEI committee will be dissolved and any DEI job duties will be eliminated. CFTOD staff will also no longer be permitted to use any staff time to pursue DEI initiatives.

“The so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives were advanced during the tenure of the previous board and they were illegal and simply unamerican,” said Administrator Gilzean. “Our district will no longer participate in any attempt to divide us by race or advance the notion that we are not created equal. As the former head of the Central Florida Urban League, a civil rights organization, I can say definitively that our community thrives only when we work together despite our differences.”

Under its Minority/ Women Business Enterprise and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs, the Reedy Creek Improvement District routinely awarded contracts based on racially and gender driven goals to businesses on the basis of their owners’ race and gender. Through the program, the Reedy Creek Improvement District instituted gender and racial quotas to ensure that contractors met a certain threshold of diversity. In order to meet these quotas, it is estimated that the district had to pay millions of dollars more in order to find businesses who could comply.

After entering into a contract, Reedy Creek employees aggressively monitored contractor’s racial and gender practices, wasting taxpayer dollars. Previous contracts threatened contractors who did not keep up with racial or gender quotes with nonpayment and disqualification from future bidding.

CENTRAL FLORIDA TOURISM OVERSIGHT DISTRICT ABOLISHES DEI BOARD AND RACE-BASED CONTRACTING - Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

CENTRAL FLORIDA TOURISM OVERSIGHT DISTRICT ABOLISHES DEI BOARD AND RACE-BASED CONTRACTING Eliminating all CFTOD DEI initiatives and programs will save millions of dollars each year LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – […]

www.rcid.org

 

[wdwmagic]

New press release from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Today, District Administrator, Glenton Gilzean announced the abolition of all DEI programs at the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The announcement comes after the Reedy Creek Improvement District implemented hiring and contracting programs that discriminated against Americans based on gender and race, costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

The announcement comes after an internal investigation into the district’s policies. The district’s DEI committee will be dissolved and any DEI job duties will be eliminated. CFTOD staff will also no longer be permitted to use any staff time to pursue DEI initiatives.

“The so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives were advanced during the tenure of the previous board and they were illegal and simply unamerican,” said Administrator Gilzean. “Our district will no longer participate in any attempt to divide us by race or advance the notion that we are not created equal. As the former head of the Central Florida Urban League, a civil rights organization, I can say definitively that our community thrives only when we work together despite our differences.”

Under its Minority/ Women Business Enterprise and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs, the Reedy Creek Improvement District routinely awarded contracts based on racially and gender driven goals to businesses on the basis of their owners’ race and gender. Through the program, the Reedy Creek Improvement District instituted gender and racial quotas to ensure that contractors met a certain threshold of diversity. In order to meet these quotas, it is estimated that the district had to pay millions of dollars more in order to find businesses who could comply.

After entering into a contract, Reedy Creek employees aggressively monitored contractor’s racial and gender practices, wasting taxpayer dollars. Previous contracts threatened contractors who did not keep up with racial or gender quotes with nonpayment and disqualification from future bidding.

CENTRAL FLORIDA TOURISM OVERSIGHT DISTRICT ABOLISHES DEI BOARD AND RACE-BASED CONTRACTING - Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

CENTRAL FLORIDA TOURISM OVERSIGHT DISTRICT ABOLISHES DEI BOARD AND RACE-BASED CONTRACTING Eliminating all CFTOD DEI initiatives and programs will save millions of dollars each year LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – […]

www.rcid.org

People may take them more serious if everything they said wasn't an attempt to seek attention, be political, and take shots at the previous setup. How about just doing the job quietly and properly.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

People may take them more serious if everything they said wasn't an attempt to seek attention, be political, and take shots at the previous setup. How about just doing the job quietly and properly.

The problem is that is all they are there to do. Their only job is to screw Disney over in any way that they can while still looking like they are doing the right thing - which we all know is not the right thing.