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

[BuzzedPotatoHead89]

But you didn’t answer my question. What happens to children with gay parents? Do we tell those kids not to talk about their parents?

And what about pictures of spouses? Or spouses coming into the classroom to say hello? Teachers’ spouses do that all the time. Or when Johnny’s moms volunteer in class? Can you not see how ridiculous it is to try and keep it out of school? Teachers don’t have to be instructing about it for it to come up. Just as it always comes up - but is 100% fine - when we’re talking about straight people.

Spot on.

One of the first “lesson plans” of sorts in Kindergarten is for children to draw a picture and share/discuss their nuclear family. What happens when young Johnny, Sandra, Miguel, etc. draw a picture with “two dads” or “two moms”?

Perhaps its realistic/reasonable to ask an adult teacher to keep their relationship in the closet (though I’d disagree) in the interest of perceived “neutrality” as employees of the public, but to exclude these children from public education curriculum is akin to “separate but equal” treatment under the law in my mind.

There’s a spectrum the width of the Grand Canyon between being practical about the realities of modern nuclear families in a post-Obergefell world and “grooming” young kids to choose their sexual preferences. The latter is a hyperbolic overreaction at best - and a coded messaging tactic at worst that frankly feeds into some dark internet conspiracies.

 

[MandaM]

The left has been going after Chick Fil A (and other businesses who are vocal against gay marriage) for nearly a decade, the current Florida vs Disney is the first case I can think of where it’s been the right going after the a business for expressing their freedom of speech.

There have been several laws passed that restrict businesses from opening in airport and other government connected businesses if they oppose “equality” requirements. Free speech is secondary to PC regulations in many states.

It’s very rare but this isn’t exactly new territory.

I’m not sure the Chick-fil-A situation would be a First Amendment violation. This has happened only, I believe, at locations like airports, where the city is responsible for choosing vendors. The city can make the claim that choosing a vendor that many people boycott because of its anti-LBGTQ views makes it a less desirable partner than a non-controversial restaurant. In that sense, it would be no different than them not choosing a restaurant that had objectionable or offensive pictures as part of their decor, for example.

DeSantis’ move, on the other hand, is pure retribution against protected speech, as he and other Republicans have openly admitted, which is clearly a violation of free speech.

 

[freedining]

Spot on.

One of the first “lesson plans” of sorts in Kindergarten is for children to draw a picture and share/discuss their nuclear family. What happens when young Johnny, Sandra, Miguel, etc. draw a picture with “two dads” or “two moms”?

Perhaps its realistic/reasonable to ask an adult teacher to keep their relationship in the closet (though I’d disagree) in the interest of perceived “neutrality” as employees of the public, but to exclude these children from public education curriculum is akin to “separate but equal” treatment under the law in my mind.

There’s a spectrum the width of the Grand Canyon between being practical about the realities of modern nuclear families in a post-Obergefell world and “grooming” young kids to choose their sexual preferences. The latter is a hyperbolic overreaction at best - and a coded messaging tactic at worst that frankly feeds into some dark internet conspiracies.

Maybe we should go back to the way it used to be when many of us were in elementary school? I have zero recollection of any of my elementary teachers talking about their personal lives with the class. I remember times tables, grammar, maps, duck and cover, recess… you know, school stuff.

A hand drawn picture of the student’s family will be treasured by the parents, and no one else will really care. Is the teacher also drawing a picture of their family? If so, why? Does the teacher need practice finger painting?

 

[BuzzedPotatoHead89]

A hand drawn picture of the student’s family will be treasured by the parents, and no one else will really care. Is the teacher also drawing a picture of their family? If so, why? Does the teacher need practice finger painting?

That is the point for the student to draw/color a picture for the parents to display on their fridge. And to maybe share with their classmates a few details about themselves.

No, teachers don’t draw pictures or finger-paint. Teachers are human beings too though so until we can replace them all with AI robots (which I’m sure unions would take issues with) if details of their lives slip out during class it shouldn’t be career ending.

 

[peter11435]

Let's please recall what I wrote:

Furthermore, the Florida state legislature has the authority to modify the existing Section 125.01 (Powers and duties) to take into account special considerations resulting from the end of RCID.​

​

Scott Randolph knows this but he is not telling you. I suggest you research Scott Randolph's publicly available political activity and draw your own conclusions as to why he's not telling you this.​

Randolph knows that the statute can be amended by the Florida legislature. As tax collector for Orange County, he should be pressing for a change.

In the CNN video, Randolph said:

Now I represent 1.4 million people in Orange County who like you said might be stuck with a $163 million tax bill. On day one when that special taxing district gets dissolved, one side of the ledger is going to say zero, and the other side is going to say negative $163 million. And Orange County residents are going to have to find a way to make that up.​

On his Twitter account, Randolph wrote:

Let me say again, Disney sits in incorporated Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista. Orange County CANNOT impose an MSTU on municipal areas (the cities would have to agree). Does anyone read the statutes any more?? F.S. 125.01. Period. Very clear.​

Has Randolph suggested somewhere else that the statute can be changed to address the end of RCID?

Thanks!

I’d prefer if Randolph nor anyone else was advocating for the further abuse of government power. If what you’re suggesting is followed through with then ultimately the state of Florida will have changed two laws, ignored a third, and disregarded the constitution all so they could silence a company that disagreed them.

 

[GladToBeHear]

You are very mistaken. Disney has been involved in political issues in Florida and elsewhere for decades. This wasn’t new.

In this case they pushed and the state of Florida responded illegally

Very possible. There may be other instances where Disney threatened to get involved in local political issues in the past that I'm not aware of. I'd be interested to know more.

As far as the legality of all this -- we'll have to wait and see. But I'm assuming the state is going to get its way.

 

[peter11435]

Very possible. There may be other instances where Disney threatened to get involved in local political issues in the past that I'm not aware of. I'd be interested to know more.

As far as the legality of all this -- we'll have to wait and see. But I'm assuming the state is going to get its way.

Not just instances where they threatened to get involved. They have been involved.

The state of Florida might get its way here. But I think you should be frightened at that thought. Not because of how it impacts Disney or even Florida taxpayers but rather for the further implications for the future.

 

[GladToBeHear]

I’d also love to see one example of how both sides do this. When has a Democratic government ever enacted a law to punish a corporation for expressing a political opinion? If there’s not examples of it, then it’s not both sides.

Obama's IRS went after some conservative groups several years back. It's not apples and apples -- but it's a government entity going after an organization/business on the other side of the political spectrum. I'm sure there's more.

Disney did more than express a political opinion though. They threatened to take action. I would assume this is when the state government took notice.

 

[GladToBeHear]

Not just instances where they threatened to get involved. They have been involved.

The state of Florida might get its way here. But I think you should be frightened at that thought. Not because of how it impacts Disney or even Florida taxpayers but rather for the further implications for the future.

When have they been involved? I'd honestly like to know more.

As far as what the state of Florida is doing -- I'll form my own political opinions -- but I appreciate you looking out for me.

 

[peter11435]

Disney did more than express a political opinion though. They threatened to take action. I would assume this is when the state government took notice.

that’s still protected under the first amendment. People and corporations have a right and a responsibility to speak out against legislation and they have a right and a responsibility to fight legislation they disagree with it.

 

[GladToBeHear]

that’s still protected under the first amendment. People and corporations have a right and a responsibility to speak out against legislation and they have a right and a responsibility to fight legislation they disagree with it.

And it looks like state government might have the right to remove special tax privileges because of it. We'll have to see, I guess. Personally -- I'd like to see Disney stay out of politics completely.

 

[MandaM]

De Blasio's Plan to Remove Trump's Name From Buildings Will Cost Millions

New York City's mayor is trying to distance the city from the former president, which may end up costing taxpayers millions.

www.newsweek.com

NYC DOT Removes Donald Trump 'Adopt-A-Highway' Sign On Henry Hudson Parkway

The contract between Trump's company and the maintenance contractor expired on November 7th, according to a DOT spokesperson.

gothamist.com

Comptroller Scott Stringer and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. vote no on proposed new operator — while Trump’s lawyer claims golf legend Jack Nicklaus has the final say.

Comptroller Scott Stringer and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. vote no on proposed new operator — while Trump’s lawyer claims golf legend Jack Nicklaus has the final say.

www.thecity.nyc

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio terminated a Trump company’s contract to run Ferry Point Park golf course last year citing the ex-president’s role in stirring up the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio terminated a Trump company’s contract to run Ferry Point Park golf course last year citing the ex-president’s role in stirring up the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

www.thecity.nyc

Nope. Those aren’t 1st Amendment violations. Inciting an insurrection isn’t protected speech. I’d still like to see some actual evidence of the left doing the same thing.

 

[peter11435]

And it looks like state government might have the right to remove special tax privileges because of it. We'll have to see, I guess. Personally -- I'd like to see Disney stay out of politics completely.

Why do you say that it looks like states have the right to do that?

I can understand that stance. Although I would argue it’s impossible.

 

[RunningKoen]

Maybe we should go back to the way it used to be when many of us were in elementary school? I have zero recollection of any of my elementary teachers talking about their personal lives with the class. I remember times tables, grammar, maps, duck and cover, recess… you know, school stuff.

A hand drawn picture of the student’s family will be treasured by the parents, and no one else will really care. Is the teacher also drawing a picture of their family? If so, why? Does the teacher need practice finger painting?

I have to disagree.

Kids are quite interested in the personal lifes of their teachers. The younger ones even more than the older ones. I've done tons of internships and the introduction was always the first thing to do. There's a clear patern in the first questions : if I had a girlfriend or if I was married, or had a child. Sometimes even basic stuff like if I had a mom and a dad and if they were nice or strict. Just because that's what they can relate to from there own lifes.

Quite frankly, the young ones cared less for my age . They don't even understand big numbers yet. Age doesnt mean a thing to them, they can't yet relate to that. Someone once guessed me as 50, because I was longer than their own teacher ...
Even once, a kid asked if I was pregnant (the kid had a pregnant mother and didnt fully understand the concept, so he kept asking everyone is he or she was pregnant). Young kids have no idea what is and isn't approriate, so they speak and ask very freely and directly. That ' social compass' is full in development.

The older kids, certainly the girls, get a bit more giggly and sensitive about personal questions. They have developed so much more social skills and understanding of socials paterns, so they know what to and what to not ask during a first introduction. The older ones had a clue about my sexuality after a while, but knew it was a sensitive subject so they didn't dare to ask directly. They try to hint at it, but backed off if I wasn't showing an open attitude about it.

It is not a standard school subject that is taught or remembered like that. It might not even be a class wide thing. But the personal interactions happen all the time. I'm quite sure that despite the differences between the USA and the Netherlands, a teacher in the USA also has tons of interactions with students apart from their general class instructions.

This is also logical: young kids have a very narrow social network when they are young. A teacher is often within the top 5 of adults they have daily/weekly interactions with. A teacher a new adult to learn from, but also a person they are curious about. They wonder if that adult is the same as they adults they know. They try to find similarities.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Let's please recall what I wrote:

Furthermore, the Florida state legislature has the authority to modify the existing Section 125.01 (Powers and duties) to take into account special considerations resulting from the end of RCID.​

​

Scott Randolph knows this but he is not telling you. I suggest you research Scott Randolph's publicly available political activity and draw your own conclusions as to why he's not telling you this.​

Randolph knows that the statute can be amended by the Florida legislature. As tax collector for Orange County, he should be pressing for a change.

In the CNN video, Randolph said:

Now I represent 1.4 million people in Orange County who like you said might be stuck with a $163 million tax bill. On day one when that special taxing district gets dissolved, one side of the ledger is going to say zero, and the other side is going to say negative $163 million. And Orange County residents are going to have to find a way to make that up.​

On his Twitter account, Randolph wrote:

Let me say again, Disney sits in incorporated Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista. Orange County CANNOT impose an MSTU on municipal areas (the cities would have to agree). Does anyone read the statutes any more?? F.S. 125.01. Period. Very clear.​

Has Randolph suggested somewhere else that the statute can be changed to address the end of RCID?

Thanks!

It is not Randolph’s responsibility to come up with ways to fix illl conceived legislation. Randolph and other county officials have to start acting right now and they cannot act based on a hypothetical they do not control. The costs start now, and another special session is more costs to the tax payers.

 

[lazyboy97o]

And it looks like state government might have the right to remove special tax privileges because of it. We'll have to see, I guess. Personally -- I'd like to see Disney stay out of politics completely.

What special tax privileges? Paying more?

 

[Dranth]

Texas is a solid red state but they are still pretty pro-business. Nothing close to this has happened there to my knowledge.

Maybe so, but if this works well in Florida to get the base out and voting, how soon till other red states start trying something similar.

 

[Dranth]

I still think S.C. is a good option.

Governor Foghorn Leghorn doesn't have the foresight to pull something like that off but if Disney wants to open a park somewhere in the upstate I won't complain.

 

[castlecake2.0]

What special tax privileges? Paying more?

Good on you for trying to stop the spread of misinformation, this thread is so exhausting. If one more person talk about Disney’s “tax breaks” my brain might explode. If they really want to go after that fight talk about Lake Nona that is still going full steam ahead, not Reedy Creek.

 

[Tha Realest]

I’m not sure the Chick-fil-A situation would be a First Amendment violation. This has happened only, I believe, at locations like airports, where the city is responsible for choosing vendors. The city can make the claim that choosing a vendor that many people boycott because of its anti-LBGTQ views makes it a less desirable partner than a non-controversial restaurant. In that sense, it would be no different than them not choosing a restaurant that had objectionable or offensive pictures as part of their decor, for example.

Entirely different. Chick-Fil-A’s are not allowed to do business at all when they are singled out for not being able to obtain a lease or business license. Others attempted to shut down bakeries completely. No one is taking away Disney’s ability to do business - it just has to do so under the same circumstances as any other local business in that region in the state.