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

[seascape]

There is almost no way Disney loses this court case. It is so clear that the February 8th bill is direct retaliation for Disney's free speech rights. The power taken by the state is designed to harm Disney. Florida's best argument is Disney has no rights to run a government and the first bill just eliminated the RCID. That could stand if the courts stretched a bit but I don't think it's in anyone's interest because the RCID bonds would be the responsibility of the counties unless the court included the bonds in damage caused by the State and DeSantis, but that would be a huge stretch and something I seriously doubt the courts would get involved with unless the counties filed their own briefs supporting Disney.

So where will we wind up in the end? Either the original RCID will be restored or it will be gone and Disney will be under the 2 counties jurisdiction. However, in either case the DeSantis board will be gone. The February 8th bill will go down either in a summary judgment or at the end of the case. However, they will be powerless in a couple of weeks when the injunction is granted. DeSantis lost my Republican vote on February 8th and it will be b remembered as the day he lost any hope of ever becoming President. Florida Republicans may like him but real national Republicans see what he did and how petty and vindictive he is.

 

[tissandtully]

I triple dog dare him to give up this stupid fight, and get Floridians some property tax relief and fix I-4 between World Drive and Hwy 27.

I'd send him a basket full of pudding if he fixed I-4 or put in some high speed rail all over the state.

 

[lazyboy97o]

At what point is Disney gonna tack on defamation as well? Gov keeps lying about taxes.

Defamation is a very high bar. It doesn’t seem worth it. It’s also not a very good look when making free speech claims.

 

[pdude81]

Very hard to sue an elected official for defamation.

I don't see this happening at all, because it would look petty and small. However, this crusade has caused some reputational damage so it wouldn't be thrown out on it's face. The problem is that he keeps sayin "fair share of taxes" and "same rules" rather than specific claims that can be easily proven. I assume that it would be hard to win an actual defamation case. The only thing gained there would be discovery, but that will already happen through this other lawsuit.

 

[tissandtully]

Defamation is a very high bar. It doesn’t seem worth it. It’s also not a very good look when making free speech claims.

Oh I know it's not plausible, but how long can you just make things up and damage a company's reputation? I mean, we know Fox learned this, but they aren't the government.

 

[DCBaker]

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors have scheduled a special meeting for this Monday, May 1.

Here's the only item currently listed for new business -

4.1 Board discussion and direction to litigation counsel and authorization to defend District officials sued in official capacities.

https://www.rcid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/05-01-23-BOS-Agenda-FINAL.pdf

 

[Batman'sParents]

I hope we eventually get more details about the numerous times Disney tried reach out to the governors office or state legislature to try to resolve the impasse. In the lawsuit, they say they tried reaching out to them multiple times.

There are only two times I know they talked to each other. The first one being in May after the legislation was passed, and the administration sent to officials to WDW to initiate conversations, and then those conversations ended. The second time was about something in passing how Adam Babington reached out to the governors office.

 

[LAKid53]

I don't believe one can name the legislature in a lawsuit.

Section 768.28, F.S., allows tort lawsuits against the state. The Florida Legislature is considered a "state agency or subdivision" under the statute.

"(2) As used in this act, “state agencies or subdivisions” include the executive departments, the Legislature, the judicial branch (including public defenders)..."

 

[flynnibus]

And by the FL constitution, the legislature can only address items in the special session that are in the Governor's proclamation.

It's funny you mention that... because they just ignore it

The session that passed 4C which dissolved all the special districts?
Here's the call for Special Session - https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SLA-BIZHUB22032913200.pdf
And the scope of the session?

And what is on the calendar for day 1 of the session?

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Calendar/2022C/Daily%20Calendars%202022-04-19%20131236.PDF

Maybe a techincality that he didn't call the session for it...

I'm still trying to find the memo calling for 2023B session

 

[LAKid53]

I hope we eventually get more details about the numerous times Disney tried reach out to the governors office or state legislature to try to resolve the impasse. In the lawsuit, they say they tried reaching out to them multiple times.

There are only two times I know they talked to each other. The first one being in May after the legislation was passed, and the administration sent to officials to WDW to initiate conversations, and then those conversations ended. The second time was about something in passing how Adam Babington reached out to the governors office.

Reports are that Chapek privately discussed the company's position on HB 1557 with the governor prior to release of his statement.

I'm pretty sure the company reached out to members of the Legislature through their registered lobbyists.

 

[mikejs78]

It's funny you mention that... because they just ignore it

The session that passed 4C which dissolved all the special districts?
Here's the call for Special Session - https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SLA-BIZHUB22032913200.pdf
And the scope of the session?
View attachment 712958

And what is on the calendar for day 1 of the session?

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Calendar/2022C/Daily%20Calendars%202022-04-19%20131236.PDF

View attachment 712959


Maybe a techincality that he didn't call the session for it...

I'm still trying to find the memo calling for 2023B session

The special session proclamation was amended.

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/File...Second Proclamation 2022 SS C April 19-21.pdf

 

[flynnibus]

The special session proclamation was amended.

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FileStores/Web/HouseContent/Approved/Web Site/uploads/documents/proclamations/Governor's Second Proclamation 2022 SS C April 19-21.pdf

Nice! how did you find those? I am struggling to find an index

 

[mf1972]

I'd send him a basket full of pudding if he fixed I-4 or put in some high speed rail all over the state.

whoa there!!! you want high speed rail too? you might have to up the ante & throw in a little rice & tapioca also

 

[Heppenheimer]

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors have scheduled a special meeting for this Monday, May 1.

Here's the only item currently listed for new business -

4.1 Board discussion and direction to litigation counsel and authorization to defend District officials sued in official capacities.

https://www.rcid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/05-01-23-BOS-Agenda-FINAL.pdf

I wonder who picks up that legal tab?

 

[flynnibus]

The special session proclamation was amended.

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FileStores/Web/HouseContent/Approved/Web Site/uploads/documents/proclamations/Governor's Second Proclamation 2022 SS C April 19-21.pdf

also notable... that amended memo was signed the morning of Apr 19th... the same morning the session was to start. Seems totally slimly

 

[castlecake2.0]

This is hilarious.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors have scheduled a special meeting for this Monday, May 1.

Here's the only item currently listed for new business -

4.1 Board discussion and direction to litigation counsel and authorization to defend District officials sued in official capacities.

https://www.rcid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/05-01-23-BOS-Agenda-FINAL.pdf

can’t wait to attend

Question: who will pay to defend the board members?

Also curious to see if any more businesses speak up about taxes being raised after they specifically mentioned they cannot afford it.

 

[JAB]

Given that he publicly discussed his intention to retaliate against Disney, then ordered special legislative sessions with the express purpose of passing the legislation re: RCID, signed the bills when he could have vetoed them, appointed the new board, and bragged about how "he" beat Disney, it seems hard to argue that he isn't culpable.

Probably an oversimplification, but it feels like if someone were to do the following:

• Publicly state you're going to throw a pie at someone for saying something you didn't like
• Order a pie from the local bakery.
• Accept delivery of the pie (even though you could refuse if it's not what you wanted)
• Throw the pie at your target
• Brag that you hit your target with the pie
• Get sued by person hit by pie.
• Claim, "It's not my fault. The bakery made the pie."

 

[flynnibus]

Given that he publicly discussed his intention to retaliate against Disney, then ordered special legislative sessions with the express purpose of passing the legislation re: RCID, signed the bills when he could have vetoed them, appointed the new board, and bragged about how "he" beat Disney, it seems hard to argue that he isn't culpable.

Probably an oversimplification, but it feels like if someone were to do the following:

• Publicly state you're going to throw a pie at someone for saying something you didn't like
• Order a pie from the local bakery.
• Accept delivery of the pie (even though you could refuse if it's not what you wanted)
• Throw the pie at your target
• Brag that you hit your target with the pie
• Get sued by person hit by pie.
• Claim, "It's not my fault. The bakery made the pie."

yeah but your analogy doesn't include being the governor and acts as the gov - different rules for government actions unfortunately.

 

[seascape]

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors have scheduled a special meeting for this Monday, May 1.

Here's the only item currently listed for new business -

4.1 Board discussion and direction to litigation counsel and authorization to defend District officials sued in official capacities.

https://www.rcid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/05-01-23-BOS-Agenda-FINAL.pdf

I may go to this since I will be at The Boardwalk. I hope many DVC Owners go and complain they want us to pay for their illegal Board.

 

[castlecake2.0]

I may go to this since I will be at The Boardwalk. I hope many DVC Owners go and complain they want us to pay for their illegal Board.

How much if you don’t mind me asking do DVC members typically pay RCID in taxes? This is a great point to bring up that I’m surprised no one has brought to the board yet. Speaking at the meeting is easy, just fill out a quick form, and it’s fine right at the start of the meeting so you don’t have to sit through all the boring stuff after if you don’t want to.