Years of litigation over Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill, sometimes known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, could have reached its conclusion.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District finally approved a $17 billion deal which includes developing Walt Disney World over the next 15 years.
Disney Claim Multi-billion Dollar Deal Will Bring 13000 Jobs
According to the company, Disney’s infrastructure improvement plan should bring huge benefits to the local economy.
They have claimed that it will bring 13000 direct jobs, as well as many more indirect jobs due to increased tourism and tax generation.
The Deal Allows Disney to Invest Billions More Into Disney World
Disney’s motive isn’t purely altruistic, as this deal allows them to pour billions into an expansion of Walt Disney World.
Disney will now be able to build a 5th major theme park at Disney World and expand their hotel and entertainment spaces.
The Dispute Began in 2022 With Controversial Ron DeSantis Bill
In 2022, Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education Bill, which was dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
The bill prohibits the discussion of sexual identity and gender roles in schools. There was backlash to the signing of the bill from LGBT groups.
Disney Release Statement Condemning Bill
Disney were quick to release a statement in opposition to the bill and in support of LGBTQ+ rights.
They suggested the law “should never have passed and should never have been signed into law”. They said that their “goal as a company” is to have the law “struck down in courts”.
Ron DeSantis Reacts
In response to Disney’s statement, Ron DeSantis removed members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, Disney’s private, tax-privileged governing zone, and replaced them with his own appointees.
This meant that the governance board, which makes decisions on matters such as construction projects, was no longer made up of those sympathetic to Disney.
Disney Push Through Last-Minute Decisions
In preparation for the handover of power to DeSantis appointees, the Disney-run board rushed through several policies, some of which were only later discovered by the new appointees.
These included agreements that limited the new boards power, such as a development agreement that gave Disney control over future construction with no expiration.
New Appointees Sue Previous Board
In response to these power-limiting “eleventh-hour” decisions, the state of Florida sued the company in 2023.
As part of this lawsuit, they requested Disney hand over documents showing communications regarding the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.
Disney Counter-Sue on Free Speech Basis
In a further escalation, Disney sued the board, Ron DeSantis and other state legislators at a federal level.
Disney claimed that they were undertaking a “targeted campaign of government retaliation”. This lawsuit was dismissed earlier this year.
Massive Deal May Have Settled the Dispute For Now
The $17 billion deal may have settled the dispute once and for all, with both parties seemingly satisfied with the compromise.
While being allowed to further develop their resort, Disney must direct at least half of their total spending towards local Florida businesses. At the latest board meeting, board appointee Brian Aungst stated that “the success of Walt Disney World is the success of Central Florida and vice versa”, signalling satisfaction with the outcome.
