Orange County has also been very vocal in disagreements with the state and governor on a number of issues. The state just created the mess for Orange County. If they didn’t want to create a problem for Orange County they could have done just that as part of the process. They could have consulted with the counties to see what they would need to absorb the District.
Have you written your local rep? The Governor may have already done the math to a second term with the understanding that he will not get your vote... your local state senator and representative do not have the luxury of a whole pool of people across the state to pull from. Let them know you want this fixed or your going for their job.
Wait??? Are you telling me that Joe Bobb Valentine with a 1/4 acre ranch isn't going to be taxed exactly the same way as the Walt Disney Company by Orange County? Why would the Democrats in local and state government pretend that the average citizen is about to be hit with a massive tax burden if everyone in local and state government knows that Disney will be taxed exactly the same way as they were by RCID (if not worse)? Why would the media pretend Joe Bobb is about to get hit with a massive tax increase if they know it's not true?
The District manages its own construction projects. For example, while Disney projects down for the pandemic the District kept building.
I didn't ask that.
Exactly right. They never even tried to hide that fact. They could have tried to repeal by saying other things but they said” you dont agree with me then your going to pay” basically. Thats just flat out wrong.
You can’t just double tax specific areas. They are also restricted by how much they can increase taxes by an amendment to the state constitution that was passed by Florida’s voters TWICE.
Yes, but there was a sizable portion of the commentariat in this thread that was trying to hide-the-ball and pretend RCID wasn't providing a state-implemented benefit to the Walt Disney Company and further pretend that it was actually a benefit to Disney that it was being dissolved. I just wanted to, once and for all, make that portion of our posters truthfully acknowledge that the RCID is a state benefit provided to Disney and (further) that Disney is being disadvantaged by losing RCID.
I'm sorry but there is a very clear reason this can't possibly be true. It would require Bob C. to have the planning and foresight needed to pull something like this off.
Why would it be a "double tax" if the RCID is going away?
Because Orange County already levies property taxes…
Perfectly said. Just post this at the top of every new page and maybe it will sink in.
So you're of the belief that the Florida state government will prevent Orange County from increasing taxes on Disney (taxes and fees of all kinds) in order to compensate for the increased services Orange County will now be responsible to provide Disney? Your argument is that the state government will prevent this and thus give the Disney Company a massive tax break? The Republican Governor and Republican State Legislature ... that just dissolved RCID as a punch-to-the-face ... is going to provide Disney a massive tax break by preventing Orange County from raising (and/or implementing) taxes on the various aspects of the WDC?
What matters is the intent. And at the end of the day it may be legal - but it's extremely unethical and wrong. It's up to judges to decide if its a legal violation of the first amendment, and the burden is likely on Disney proving that's the intent of the legislation, but it certainly isn't in the spirit of the first amendment and a massive hypocrisy from politicians that often cite themselves as defenders of the constitution.
But why would Disney fight this in court if they'll get away scot-free with billions in bond debt while receiving massive tax breaks?
Because they already pay property tax to the county
It’s already illegal. A county cannot levy double property taxes. A county cannot unevenly raise property taxes. The legislature cannot just ignore the state constitution or empower counties to ignore the state constitution. If the state wanted to provide a relief mechanism for the affected counties they could and should have done so as part of the legislation they just passed dissolving the older special districts. They didn’t do it and have made no indication that they will do it. Punishing Orange County is icing on the cake.
Y'ALL NEED TO GET TOGETHER! Think of what would happen if Disney World Resort just closed!? NO MORE PROFIT from tourism...BIG LOSS
You don't have to worry about that.
