Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
This thread is turning out to be more entertaining than the Coronavirus thread!
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News Reedy Creek Improvement District and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
- Thread starter castlecake2.0
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GhostHost1000
Premium Member
No kidding. Lots of people worked up over this. I’m gonna need some more popcorn.
You haven’t presented anything except your opinions of the governor and the legislature. You offer no evidence to back up your accusations and can’t prove any intent to deny Disney their 1A rights through State actions.
In the end it’s all a thought exercise because now that Disney has gone along with this, it indicates that they believed they would have better luck negotiating this in the legislature than adjudicating this in the courts.
It’s over.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Where is your evidence? Why won’t you cite this major precedent?
Dranth
Well-Known Member
That is one way to look at it. I certainly took something else away from the whole thing.
1. Florida may target you if you don't agree with what they say and you dare to exercise your supposed constitutional right to express that opinion.
2. A whole lot of people need to have some refresher civics courses.
3. It further reinforced to me that people's political allegiance is more important than what is right and wrong.
4. Disney are cowards for not fighting this.
Finally, if additional information comes to light I reserve the right to change my opinion.
flynnibus
Premium Member
I'm especially excited for the new "well did he actually say it?" defense! Intent is now exclusively bound by documented statements! Imagine how much quicker court cases are going to be in monothingie's new courts... we can streamline so much!
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
I don't care who declares victory - This seems good to me -DeSantis Declares Victory, but Disney World Keeps Many Perks
The Florida governor gained control of a board that oversees some services at the resort, while Disney maintained a special tax district.
By Brooks Barnes Feb. 10, 2023Updated 5:59 p.m. ET
Gov. Ron DeSantis gained control on Friday of a five-member Florida board that oversees development and safety services at Walt Disney World, a move that restricts Disney’s autonomy but leaves in place perks enjoyed by the company as part of a 56-year-old special tax district.
Last year, at the urging of Mr. DeSantis, the Florida Legislature revoked Disney World’s designation as a special tax district — a privilege that effectively allowed the company to self-govern its 25,000-acre theme park complex.
“I will not allow a woke corporation based in California to run our state,” Mr. DeSantis said at the time. “Disney has gotten away with special deals from the State of Florida for way too long.” Disney, which is Florida’s largest private employer, had paused political donations in the state and defied Mr. DeSantis by condemning an education law that opponents call “Don’t Say Gay.” It prohibits discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity through the third grade and limits it for older students.
The problem: The abolishment of the district — set for June 1 — would require taxpayers in two counties to pick up the tab for Disney World services like fire protection, policing and road maintenance. Under the old setup, Disney paid for those costs. The district also carried roughly $1 billion in debt, which would be transferred to the counties.
So the Legislature tried again, taking up a new Disney World measure in a special session that started on Monday. This time, Disney would be allowed to keep the special tax district and almost all its perks, including the ability to issue tax-exempt bonds and approve development plans without scrutiny from certain local regulators. But Disney would no longer be able to appoint the five members of the tax district’s board. Florida’s governor would get to do that.
The bill passed the State House on Thursday and the State Senate on Friday. Mr. DeSantis claimed victory earlier in the week. “There’s a new sheriff in town,” he said.
Mr. DeSantis has relished campaigning and fund-raising against what he calls “woke” corporations — chiefly Disney but also, over the past couple of years, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Ben and Jerry’s — as well as certain math textbooks and the former top prosecutor in Tampa, whom Mr. DeSantis removed from office. Last year, he signed the Stop WOKE Act, a law that limits the teaching of aspects of racism and other history in schools and workplaces.
Before the special session, Disney hoped that it would retain the ability to appoint at least a couple of the board members.
“For more than 50 years, the Reedy Creek Improvement District has operated at the highest standards,” Jeff Vahle, Disney World’s president, said in a statement, noting that the resort has been able to grow into “one of the largest economic contributors” in Florida because of the district. “We are focused on the future and are ready to work within this new framework.”
The board makeup is important because members vote on Disney World development efforts, like building a new hotel or access road or an additional theme park. The worry is that a politicized board could delay or even block such plans. (Blocking development efforts and associated job growth is not something Florida’s Republicans are known for doing, however.)
The board does not have the power to dictate the content that Disney offers to its customers.
Disney World is already extensively developed, lessening the potential impact. The complex includes four theme parks; an outdoor shopping mall; a 220-acre basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, baseball and competitive cheer complex; and 18 Disney-owned hotels with 24,000 rooms. The complex attracts an estimated 50 million visitors annually.
The tax district’s comprehensive plan, which was recently updated and approved, already gives Disney the ability to build a fifth theme park, two additional water parks and thousands of hotel rooms on 850 acres. (The company has indicated no plans to do so.) The plan extends until 2032.
Along with putting the board in the hands of political appointees, the measure changed the tax district’s name to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Disney will also be barred from building a nuclear power plant or an airport at the resort — things that were never on its to-do list anyway.
Florida has hundreds of similar special tax districts. One covers the Villages, a colossal senior-living community north of Orlando. Another covers Daytona International Speedway and the surrounding area.
DeSantis Declares Victory as Disney Is Stripped of Some 56-Year-Old Perks
The Legislature approved a bill that restricts the autonomy of Florida’s largest private employer over a fight involving the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity.www.nytimes.com
"This time, Disney would be allowed to keep the special tax district and almost all its perks, including the ability to issue tax-exempt bonds and approve development plans without scrutiny from certain local regulators."
"The tax district’s comprehensive plan, which was recently updated and approved, already gives Disney the ability to build a fifth theme park, two additional water parks and thousands of hotel rooms on 850 acres. (The company has indicated no plans to do so
of course, folks show up anyway) The plan extends until 2032."Are people just as offended when they have favors done or special treatment when they give money to those politicians?
Or is that ok? Genuine question. Some people see the reciprocity and bribe as just a wording difference, I guess because it is an incentive and not a promise officially it does not bother people as much, but that is what it is.
Wording always matters is how I see this one.
Or is that ok? Genuine question. Some people see the reciprocity and bribe as just a wording difference, I guess because it is an incentive and not a promise officially it does not bother people as much, but that is what it is.
Wording always matters is how I see this one.
Drdcm
Well-Known Member
I guess you were aware of it then? I did as you requested and now you’re pretending that I didn’t.
LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
I wish Disney would stop all political donations. I know I'm being idealistic, but the whole thing leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
Iger - WINNER
DeSantis - WINNER
Peltz - WINNER
WDW - LOSER
WDW Guest - Probably LOSER
Chapek - VERY RICH SUPER LOSER
GhostHost1000
Premium Member
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
Absolutely correct - Fixed it -
Iger - WINNER
DeSantis - WINNER
Peltz - WINNER
WDW - LOSER
WDW Guest - Always Be Losing - The more you go, the more you lose.
Chapek - VERY RICH SUPER LOSER
danlb_2000
Premium Member
"Um, but you know, you did have the situation with our Parents Rights in Education Bill. And the thing is, is, you know, when you're doing some of this stuff, you know, what happens with leftists and media, they like to distort, they like to create false narratives. Um, for whatever reason, Disney got on that bandwagon, they demagogued the bill, they lied about it, whatever, came out against it. . . . And I'm just thinking to myself, you're a corporation based in Burbank, California, and you're gonna marshal your economic might to attack the parents of my state? Uh, we view that as a provocation and we're going to fight back against that. But honestly, even in spite of that, um, if none of that had happened, uh, this is the right thing to do. Just on the basis of those Zoom videos that you saw. . . . These are videos of very high up people in this corporation in Disney, and they're talking about their intentional agenda to inject sexuality and the programming that's provided to our youngest kids . . . . I'm just not comfortable having that type of, of, of agenda get special treatment in my state. I just can't do it. And so, and so the bill here sets the marker."
—Ron DeSantis, April 2022
(The transcript is automatically generated so may contain a couple of errors, but you can watch the video for yourself.)
Reedy Creek reassuring investors after DeSantis signs law dissolving special district
The Reedy Creek Improvement District is reassuring investors after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will dissolve the special district.www.wesh.com
We also have this quote from Randy Fine who submitted the original bill to the house...
""Had Disney not said 'we are going to use our special privileges as a guest in your state to overturn a bill that the legislature has duly passed [and] the governor has duly signed,' people would not have started looking at special districts. The issue [rose] to the surface as a result," he said."
LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
The most revealing thing is that even after he says that "if none of that [i.e., Disney's opposition to the bill] had happened, uh, this is the right thing to do", the reasons he gives all have to do with Disney's "agenda". Here he is, plain as day, telling us in multiple ways that his intent is to punish Disney for being too "woke". Why are people not taking him at his word?"Um, but you know, you did have the situation with our Parents Rights in Education Bill. And the thing is, is, you know, when you're doing some of this stuff, you know, what happens with leftists and media, they like to distort, they like to create false narratives. Um, for whatever reason, Disney got on that bandwagon, they demagogued the bill, they lied about it, whatever, came out against it. . . . And I'm just thinking to myself, you're a corporation based in Burbank, California, and you're gonna marshal your economic might to attack the parents of my state? Uh, we view that as a provocation and we're going to fight back against that. But honestly, even in spite of that, um, if none of that had happened, uh, this is the right thing to do. Just on the basis of those Zoom videos that you saw. . . . These are videos of very high up people in this corporation in Disney, and they're talking about their intentional agenda to inject sexuality and the programming that's provided to our youngest kids . . . . I'm just not comfortable having that type of, of, of agenda get special treatment in my state. I just can't do it. And so, and so the bill here sets the marker."
—Ron DeSantis, April 2022
(The transcript is automatically generated so may contain a couple of errors, but you can watch the video for yourself.)
Reedy Creek reassuring investors after DeSantis signs law dissolving special district
The Reedy Creek Improvement District is reassuring investors after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will dissolve the special district.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Maybe he was crossing his toes. Do you have video to prove that he wasn’t?
Obviously not. Case closed!!
GoofGoof
Premium Member
The bolded part is also easier to fight in court. If the new board steps out of line there is nothing to stop Disney from suing. Disney recently sue Orange County on tax assessments for the resorts and parks. If the board spends money frivolously or refuses to approve something that can be handled one off in court and would be easier and cheaper to win.
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Tha Realest
Well-Known Member
Has Christopher Rufo been appointed as an RCID commissioner yet?
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
What are you even talking about? What favor was done? Was Disney paying for their own services the favor? Developing a model building code that the state endorsed for several decades the favor? The double taxation?