There’s a new twist in the ongoing saga of the battle between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Walt Disney World.
Earlier this year, the governor stripped Disney World of its self-governing status by revoking the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Disney had the same status for almost 50 years – it had its own fire department and could set its own bond rate, for example.
DeSantis installed his own chosen members to the board that were supportive of the governor, and even changed the name of the special district. Now comes word that Universal Studios Orlando resort now has its own special district.
But that could open a whole new can of worms in the feud between the governor and the entertainment giant.
Disney could use the decision to further bolster its contention that the governor was being retaliatory when he first made the decision about the Reedy Greek Improvement District. The company claims DeSantis abused his power and was retaliating against Disney for speaking out against his policy about teaching young children about sexual orientation in school.
It was colloquially referred to as the Don’t Say Gay law.
But now Universal has its own special district. The special district will reportedly use $174 million toward the ongoing expansion of Universal Studios by being able to collect taxes and fees within the district.
The money will also be partly used to construct a train line directly from the airport to Universal.
Disney is also planning an expansion.
Unlike the turmoil surrounding the Reedy Creek Improvement District, all of the board members for the new special district at Universal will be Universal employees. Disney said the governor's decision amounted to harassment of an existing business.
“A targeted campaign of government retaliation—orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech—now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights,” Disney said.
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