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

[mmascari]

Chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has penned a Letter to the Editor to the Orlando Sentinel.

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The CFTOD board recognizes that it is up against a corporate behemoth. But it will not be deterred from serving as a champion for all constituents in the district by finally bringing independence, fairness and transparency to the district.

Martin Garcia Tampa

It's hard to take anything said as serious or even competent when the statement isn't even internally consistent. They're clearly not a champion for all constituents of the district. Not even for most constituents. In fact, they're actively trying to work against the majority of constituents within the district, using whatever metric you want to count them.

Are they really trying to say that the few within the district who all entered and became part of the district knowing full well how it was structured were somehow fooled by Disney and being taken advantage of? That those few require the large hand of government to come in and save them from their poor decisions? How very small govermnet and free market of them.

 

[Splash4eva]

putting ALL politics aside no matter what side you are on... does anyone really feel this district set up for Disney truly gave them NO advantages or special privileges or ways to conduct business other's are not able to in Florida?

 

[LSLS]

putting ALL politics aside no matter what side you are on... does anyone really feel this district set up for Disney truly gave them NO advantages or special privileges or ways to conduct business other's are not able to in Florida?

Nobody has argued it wasn't a benefit. But it needs to be acknowledged it's a benefit for the counties and state as well. It's also a benefit they specifically pay for, and one that literally thousands of other areas get.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Nobody has argued it wasn't a benefit. But it needs to be acknowledged it's a benefit for the counties and state as well. It's also a benefit they specifically pay for, and one that literally thousands of other areas get.

This is why previous state leaders “let it be” for over 50 years.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

 

[danlb_2000]

putting ALL politics aside no matter what side you are on... does anyone really feel this district set up for Disney truly gave them NO advantages or special privileges or ways to conduct business other's are not able to in Florida?

I am sure it did give Disney some advantage, but that is nothing unusual. Governments give benefits to certain businesses all the time to attract them to a specific area.

 

[The Mom]

I know that it is difficult to focus just on the lawsuit, and not the people/personalities/politics involved, but if posters cannot do so then they should not post.

And since so many of you have done so - including allowing yourself to be led down the political rabbit hole by responding to overtly political posts - many posters will be given a short (one week) time-out.

Just reposted because many posters missed this the first time.

 

[GrumpyFan]

Two more amicus briefs have been filed in support of Disney’s federal lawsuit.

The first is from “former governors, senior government attorneys , and other officials.” Court Listener currently does not have the actual brief available. If anyone has a PACER account and is willing to share it would be much appreciated.

Amicus Brief – #72, Att. #1 in WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS US INC v. DESANTIS (N.D. Fla., 4:23-cv-00163) – CourtListener.com

***AMICUS BRIEF (ECF No. 72 -1 & ECF No. 73 -1) ARE ACCEPTED AND DEEMED PROPERLY FILED PER 76 ORDER GRANTING 72, 73 MOTIONS FOR LEAVE TO FILE AMICUS BRIEFS*** --- MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Curiae Brief by FORMER GOVERNORS, SENIOR GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS, AND OTHER OFFICALS. (Attachments: # 1...

www.courtlistener.com

Second is from the Leadership Now Project opposing the defendant’s motion to dismiss.

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flnd.463456/gov.uscourts.flnd.463456.73.1.pdf

WOW! Some good fuel being added to the fire in support of Disney's first amendment retaliation claims.
I sincerely only hope this helps their case.
I also have to wonder what's prompting these? Are they unsolicited or did Disney reach out to some groups and "encourage" them? I gotta think it's the latter. The mouse ain't messin' around, and came to fight.
I just glanced at them, but they're packed with some good hits at the governor and the state for their actions.

 

[Chi84]

putting ALL politics aside no matter what side you are on... does anyone really feel this district set up for Disney truly gave them NO advantages or special privileges or ways to conduct business other's are not able to in Florida?

There is a very thorough law review article that gives a complete answer to your question. It was linked not too long ago. The post by @scottieRoss also answers what you asked.

If you’re looking for a simpler answer, I’m not sure one exists. All special districts are created for a reason, and the article explains why most businesses wouldn’t need or want them.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I also have to wonder what's prompting these? Are they unsolicited or did Disney reach out to some groups and "encourage" them? I gotta think it's the latter. The mouse ain't messin' around, and came to fight.

It’s part of the advocacy done by certain organizations. They follow cases and file amicus briefs on issues they feel are important to their work.

 

[Chi84]

Maybe not in this thread? I don't know, it seems that may be off-topic after The Mom's warning above.

The nature of special districts is at the heart of the lawsuits, isn’t it? I think we’re just supposed to avoid specific political issues and politicians.

 

[Cliff]

So they should have engaged in a conspiracy?

Have you read any of the documents you’ve been provided?

No...I think it was just bad timing. I wish RCID was changed decades ago and NOT have been today, after all this Florida bill, Disney activism mess. I think the changes that they have today...should have been done in the early 1970's

I think the new changes are good but I dont agree with the public "reason" for the change. The "reason" for the change should NEVER been because of Disney's political activism. No...that is wrong justification. I think that changing RCID into the CFTOD configuration provides a more transparent group with better oversight. For me..."that"...is the "proper" reason for making these changes. Again, I think it should have been this way from the get go.

I know this opinion angers many here. I dont know why so many people are attarched to the old RCID and take it's changes so personally. Disney has to answer to local and state governments all over the world and had no problem operating under them. Look,....Anaheim gives Disney pure Hell sometimes but Disneyland is still a great resort to visit anyway.

CFTOD will NOT stop Disney from making billions at WDW. Disney's ONLY TRUE obsticle are their OWN bad park decisions and attraction choices.

CFTOD is nothing...Disney itself is it's own worst enemy.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

No...I think it was just bad timing. I wish RCID was changed decades ago and NOT have been today, after all this Florida bill, Disney activism mess. I think the changes that they have today...should have been done in the early 1970's

I think the new changes are good but I dont agree with the public "reason" for the change. The "reason" for the change should NEVER been because of Disney's political activism. No...that is wrong justification. I think that changing RCID into the CFTOD configuration provides a more transparent group with better oversight. For me..."that"...is the "proper" reason for making these changes. Again, I think it should have been this way from the get go.

I know this opinion angers many here. I dont know why so many people are attarched to the old RCID and take it's changes so personally. Disney has to answer to local and state governments all over the world and had no problem operating under them. Look,....Anaheim gives Disney pure Hell sometimes but Disneyland is still a great resort to visit anyway.

CFTOD will NOT stop Disney from making billions at WDW. Disney's ONLY TRUE obsticle are their OWN bad park decisions and attraction choices.

CFTOD is nothing...Disney itself is it's own worst enemy.

I will agree Disney currently has bigger problems than anything Desantis has done.

 

[scottieRoss]

No...I think it was just bad timing. I wish RCID was changed decades ago and NOT have been today, after all this Florida bill, Disney activism mess. I think the changes that they have today...should have been done in the early 1970's

I think the new changes are good but I dont agree with the public "reason" for the change. The "reason" for the change should NEVER been because of Disney's political activism. No...that is wrong justification. I think that changing RCID into the CFTOD configuration provides a more transparent group with better oversight. For me..."that"...is the "proper" reason for making these changes. Again, I think it should have been this way from the get go.

I know this opinion angers many here. I dont know why so many people are attarched to the old RCID and take it's changes so personally. Disney has to answer to local and state governments all over the world and had no problem operating under them. Look,....Anaheim gives Disney pure Hell sometimes but Disneyland is still a great resort to visit anyway.

CFTOD will NOT stop Disney from making billions at WDW. Disney's ONLY TRUE obsticle are their OWN bad park decisions and attraction choices.

CFTOD is nothing...Disney itself is it's own worst enemy.

Except, the district was never created to provide oversight, the district was created to support the creation of a World Class Tourist Destination. That is clearly laid out in the charter's preamble.

 

[lazyboy97o]

No...I think it was just bad timing. I wish RCID was changed decades ago and NOT have been today, after all this Florida bill, Disney activism mess. I think the changes that they have today...should have been done in the early 1970's

I think the new changes are good but I dont agree with the public "reason" for the change. The "reason" for the change should NEVER been because of Disney's political activism. No...that is wrong justification. I think that changing RCID into the CFTOD configuration provides a more transparent group with better oversight. For me..."that"...is the "proper" reason for making these changes. Again, I think it should have been this way from the get go.

I know this opinion angers many here. I dont know why so many people are attarched to the old RCID and take it's changes so personally. Disney has to answer to local and state governments all over the world and had no problem operating under them. Look,....Anaheim gives Disney pure Hell sometimes but Disneyland is still a great resort to visit anyway.

CFTOD will NOT stop Disney from making billions at WDW. Disney's ONLY TRUE obsticle are their OWN bad park decisions and attraction choices.

CFTOD is nothing...Disney itself is it's own worst enemy.

It’s not bad timing. It’s the only reason. The changes made were not previously considered because they completely contradict the purpose of such districts.

What changes provide greater transparency? What process was previously hidden that is now visible?

What oversight has changed and improved?

Nowhere else in the world does Disney work under a local government created with the sole purpose of punishing them. Anaheim doesn’t give Disney hell and because of agreements you say are wrong let’s them largely do as they desire.

 

[scottieRoss]

It’s not bad timing. It’s the only reason. The changes made were not previously considered because they completely contradict the purpose of such districts.

What changes provide greater transparency? What process was previously hidden that is now visible?

What oversight has changed and improved?

Nowhere else in the world does Disney work under a local government created with the sole purpose of punishing them. Anaheim doesn’t give Disney hell and because of agreements you say are wrong let’s them largely do as they desire.

And never forget, Desantis did not even know what the district was until he was looking for ways to hurt Disney.

 

[lazyboy97o]

im sure if they werent they would NOT be spending millions to fight this.... lets be real here. so net net its most likely a bigger loss than they may want to admit. FTR tho yes i lean Right (can i say that? ) and obviously a Disney fan... i think he going after Disney was just a dumb decision almost as dumb as Bob and his statements

The current situation was created to harm Disney. That doesn’t mean they had some untoward advantage.

The advantages and how they are available to others has been documented and discussed.

 

[mmascari]

putting ALL politics aside no matter what side you are on... does anyone really feel this district set up for Disney truly gave them NO advantages or special privileges or ways to conduct business other's are not able to in Florida?

im sure if they werent they would NOT be spending millions to fight this....

You didn't ask if there were advantages or not. You asked if there were extra advantages only availble to Disney and not anyone else.

There's tons of special districts in Florida.

If you cannot point to an example advantage given to Disney that isn't available to anyone else, I would just assume there aren't any.

 

[RamblinWreck]

im sure if they werent they would NOT be spending millions to fight this.... lets be real here. so net net its most likely a bigger loss than they may want to admit. FTR tho yes i lean Right (can i say that? ) and obviously a Disney fan... i think he going after Disney was just a dumb decision almost as dumb as Bob and his statements

The mistake in your bolded statement above is that it relies on an assumption that Disney World’s situation now has in some way been brought in line with other entities in the state.


The reality is that they were not previously in a uniquely advantageous position. But they are now in a uniquely disadvantageous position compared to other entities in the state.

No one else is in a remotely similar situation to them. Of course they are fighting that.

 

[afterabme]

If TWDC wanted to build a fifth park, under the old/new structure, would they have to pay impact fees to orange or Osceola county or does the structure of the district prevent that?

 

[GrumpyFan]

If TWDC wanted to build a fifth park, under the old/new structure, would they have to pay impact fees to orange or Osceola county or does the structure of the district prevent that?

I'm not 100% on this, but I've read they do pay some of these kind of fees to the district, but I'm not sure of the extent or if that includes Osceola (and Orange) county. Also, they submit their intended changes to the South Florida Water Management District. I don't know the extent of the authority they hold but almost anytime Disney or the district is planning to move dirt they file with SFWMD.