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

[JohnD]

They are legally allowed to do that. The Supreme Court has already ruled they have a first amendment right to weigh in just the same as any individual.

I didn't say that they weren't. But don't act surprised that Legislators want a new look at the RCID law either.

 

[lazyboy97o]

As I think more about this, another potential consequence for Florida doing this is that the state might not be trusted now to keep its word on offers of business incentives when they run afoul of a politician's stances.

This is serious third world ****.

And coincidentally Anaheim seems to demonstrate that it is possible to change a tax deal after the fact. In that case though the city leaders were compelled by referendum.

 

[mkt]

I didn't say that they weren't. But don't act surprised that Legislators want a new look at the RCID law either.

Government consequences as a result of exercising one's free speech sounds like a solid first amendment lawsuit.

 

[lazyboy97o]

This whole thing is a bunch of nonsense. They aren't going to actually bite the hand that feeds them with Disney, nor does the lawmaker who proposed this have any idea that the same law also applies to very red areas like The Villages, which also has a special taxing district.

The Villages uses similar but ultimate different districts. These districts are also all individually created by the legislature. Clumsily crafted legislation could suck the Community Development Districts in with them but it’s be easy to just end the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

What it would do is show the hypocrisy of whatever argument is made to justify the change, be it not being democratic with landowners voting to be for the benefit of a single corporation. It’s also possible that the developers who use these districts could tell them to shut up lest the Democrats decide to promise retaliation and go after developers who exercise these special powers over actual residents.

 

[mkt]

Destroy the state's economy.......give me a break.

75,000 direct jobs, 463,000 indirect jobs.

$5.8 billion in sales tax revenue, $75.2 billion economic impact.

Yeah, Florida needs Disney more than Disney needs Florida.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

This whole thing is a bunch of nonsense. They aren't going to actually bite the hand that feeds them with Disney, nor does the lawmaker who proposed this have any idea that the same law also applies to very red areas like The Villages, which also has a special taxing district.

It is a bunch of nonsense, but do you really feel that Florida politicians would see this move as negative to their interests? Disney is kind of stuck: they can't exactly pack up Walt Disney World and move it to another state nor are they going to cut off their nose to spite their face and start laying people off beyond what they thought was good for business anyway. If Disney curtails certain plans, no-one is going to notice what didn't happen and they're certainly not going to connect it to this. The one thing Disney could do is call off Lake Nona, but do the politicians pushing this really want a bunch of people from Southern California working in the entertainment business moving to Florida anyway?

 

[thomas998]

At the end of the day it would be dangerous retaliation politics in which we continue to normalize punitive legal action in response to unrelated activities and free speech.

Retaliation politics happens all the time, from the local to national stage. And it has been happening for generations, the only difference here is that this time it is all out in the open. And it is related to what Disney has decided to do. In essence Disney in all their ignorance has declared war on the current governing powers in Florida. Not a smart thing to do as openly as they did. Actions have consequences and Disney's management need to learn to be quiet and focus on the business of running a theme park in Florida and not trying to get involved in politics that has zero impact on their operations. That's the real stupidity of this, if they were going after a law that directly impacted their business it would be one thing, but Disney doesn't run any schools with elementary kids in it so the law really doesn't impact Disney at all. It makes as much sense as a Chick-fil-a getting upset with a law that determines how much space a horse has to have in a stable.

 

[el jefe]

75,000 direct jobs, 463,000 indirect jobs.

$5.8 billion in sales tax revenue, $75.2 billion economic impact.

Yeah, Florida needs Disney more than Disney needs Florida.

That is A lot and I do agree. But its not like Disney can call up Uhaul. Both sides bluster and posture to their base.....we all know this. I just think one side picked a not to popular position and one that is not easily defenseable without the use of slogans which will only take you so far. Disney can only get hurt by this

 

[monothingie]

Well I guess if eliminated we will have to kiss any hopes of monorail expansion away.

 

[el jefe]

Retaliation politics happens all the time, from the local to national stage. And it has been happening for generations, the only difference here is that this time it is all out in the open. And it is related to what Disney has decided to do. In essence Disney in all their ignorance has declared war on the current governing powers in Florida. Not a smart thing to do as openly as they did. Actions have consequences and Disney's management need to learn to be quiet and focus on the business of running a theme park in Florida and not trying to get involved in politics that has zero impact on their operations. That's the real stupidity of this, if they were going after a law that directly impacted their business it would be one thing, but Disney doesn't run any schools with elementary kids in it so the law really doesn't impact Disney at all. It makes as much sense as a Chick-fil-a getting upset with a law that determines how much space a horse has to have in a stable.

Ver

Retaliation politics happens all the time, from the local to national stage. And it has been happening for generations, the only difference here is that this time it is all out in the open. And it is related to what Disney has decided to do. In essence Disney in all their ignorance has declared war on the current governing powers in Florida. Not a smart thing to do as openly as they did. Actions have consequences and Disney's management need to learn to be quiet and focus on the business of running a theme park in Florida and not trying to get involved in politics that has zero impact on their operations. That's the real stupidity of this, if they were going after a law that directly impacted their business it would be one thing, but Disney doesn't run any schools with elementary kids in it so the law really doesn't impact Disney at all. It makes as much sense as a Chick-fil-a getting upset with a law that determines how much space a horse has to have in a stable.

Very well said

 

[GimpYancIent]

75,000 direct jobs, 463,000 indirect jobs.

$5.8 billion in sales tax revenue, $75.2 billion economic impact.

Yeah, Florida needs Disney more than Disney needs Florida.

WDW is not going anywhere. The parks, facilities, jobs revenue flow and taxes all are going to continue. Management, now there is something where change is looming. Other than that life will go on.

 

[UNCgolf]

You're assuming that all of the players are rational human beings.

When the church involved itself with conservative politics - when it became god, guns, and country - rationality went out the door. While the actual politicians may be rational in private, publicly they cannot appear to give an inch, lest they seem soft. Their base has gone so far to the right and is so deluded, that many truly believe that they're doing this for god, and everything/everyone else is wrong.

They'd rather destroy the state's economy to remain in power than give an inch.

Oh no, I'm not assuming that at all.

I didn't realize how heavily Republican both the Florida Senate and House are, though. I was assuming there was a Republican majority, but not the supermajority they have. They could have numerous GOP members vote against eliminating RCID and still end up with a passed bill.

 

[JohnD]

I'm pretty sure the State of Florida threw the first punch by enacting a law that singles out one historically persecuted minority and bans them from being mentioned in classrooms.

This whole thing is a bunch of nonsense. They aren't going to actually bite the hand that feeds them with Disney, nor does the lawmaker who proposed this have any idea that the same law also applies to very red areas like The Villages, which also has a special taxing district.

Again, it’s a law individuals can disagree with but it doesn’t affect their FL interests in the slightest. I’m not going to debate the bill but the Disney company whose interests in FL are WDW, Vero Beach Resort and their cruises chose to weigh in. The fact that the Governor or the members of the Legislature chose to react shouldn’t come as a surprise.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Retaliation politics happens all the time, from the local to national stage. And it has been happening for generations, the only difference here is that this time it is all out in the open. And it is related to what Disney has decided to do. In essence Disney in all their ignorance has declared war on the current governing powers in Florida. Not a smart thing to do as openly as they did. Actions have consequences and Disney's management need to learn to be quiet and focus on the business of running a theme park in Florida and not trying to get involved in politics that has zero impact on their operations. That's the real stupidity of this, if they were going after a law that directly impacted their business it would be one thing, but Disney doesn't run any schools with elementary kids in it so the law really doesn't impact Disney at all. It makes as much sense as a Chick-fil-a getting upset with a law that determines how much space a horse has to have in a stable.

What you're saying here, though, extends to individuals: express an opinion the government doesn't like and be prepared to accept retaliation.

Again, interesting times we live in.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

Conspiracy theory warning: Disney is a powerful company with many lobbyists. Surely they knew retaliation like this may occur. Is it possible they are actually inviting it? A way to dissolve the district without the public perception problem of a huge corporation moving their infrastructure costs onto the taxpayer.

WDW under the jurisdiction of OC likely wouldn't result in any negative outcomes. Disney already builds above and beyond international code and standards. OC would be very, very favorable to WDW. Disney would continue to pay for things like turf irrigation, etc.

This also is coming at a time when Disney is coincidentally re-theming all of the RCID road signs with signs that are much more aligned with Federal highway standards.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Conspiracy theory warning: Disney is a powerful company with many lobbyists. Surely they knew retaliation like this may occur. Is it possible they are actually inviting it? A way to dissolve the district without the public perception problem of a huge corporation moving their infrastructure costs onto the taxpayer.

WDW under the jurisdiction of OC likely wouldn't result in any negative outcomes. Disney already builds above and beyond international code and standards. OC would be very, very favorable to WDW. Disney would continue to pay for things like turf irrigation, etc.

This also is coming at a time when Disney is coincidentally re-theming all of the RCID road signs with signs that are much more aligned with Federal highway standards.

I have a warning ! Don't let the Disney marketing department touch this issue.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

@GimpYancIent you laugh, but if Disney can still do whatever it wants through OC (and purchase any RCID land it wants in the meantime) what benefit does RCID offer them? If the tax burden would be less than the cost to operate RCID...

Heck, Epic Universe was offered a blanket approval for their build. WDW would be offered the same for their projects.

Asking honestly.

 

[mkt]

That is A lot and I do agree. But its not like Disney can call up Uhaul. Both sides bluster and posture to their base.....we all know this. I just think one side picked a not to popular position and one that is not easily defenseable without the use of slogans which will only take you so far. Disney can only get hurt by this

While Disney won't likely close the parks, they can easily move many back office roles and the corporate roles at the new Lake Nona offices elsewhere. Those are thousands of jobs, many paying rather good wages.

Beyond that, there is precedent to companies abandoning capital assets and infrastructure behind when incentives go away (see elimination of Section 936 of the federal tax code in Puerto Rico)

 

[Brian]

@GimpYancIent you laugh, but if Disney can still do whatever it wants through OC (and purchase any RCID land it wants in the meantime) what benefit does RCID offer them? If the tax burden would be less than the cost to operate RCID...

Heck, Epic Universe was offered a blanket approval for their build. WDW would be offered the same for their projects.

Asking honestly.

RCID built Disney all three Disney Springs parking garages through municipal bonds. The Orange and Lime garages were a combined $85 million. Because these were publicly-funded projects, there was no tax assessed. Additionally, RCID continues to maintain and operate them.

That's just one of many benefits Disney enjoys by way of the RCID.

 

[lazyboy97o]

@GimpYancIent you laugh, but if Disney can still do whatever it wants through OC (and purchase any RCID land it wants in the meantime) what benefit does RCID offer them? If the tax burden would be less than the cost to operate RCID...

Heck, Epic Universe was offered a blanket approval for their build. WDW would be offered the same for their projects.

Asking honestly.

There’s still a value to control.

If Disney wanted to have the District dissolved they could just ask for it to happen.