At today’s Central Florida Tourism Oversight District meeting, Board President Martin Garcia took several minutes at the end of the public session to discuss Disney’s relationship with the district formerly known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District and its lawsuit. vehemently criticized. to Governor Ron DeSantis and the CFTOD board itself.
CFTOD board slams Disney again
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Garcia spoke about the federal lawsuit between Disney and CFTOD, specifically how Disney amended the lawsuit to eliminate complaints related to the former Reedy Creek Improvement District development agreement, and how Disney made many statements about the damage it caused. Legal incident.
Garcia called this a “huge shake” legally and an “unusual concession” on Disney’s part. He argues that by doing so, Disney “effectively admitted that the four federal causes of action against this board should not have been brought in federal court.”
He went on to stress that the dispute between Disney and CFTOD only involves the contract between Disney and RCID and is unrelated to the ongoing dispute between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. .
Disney was well aware that these were two separate issues. But this spring’s sudden fall from grace left him eager to lash out in a national forum. He then dragged the commission into federal court in Tallahassee. This decision is not only an insult to Floridians, but also to the taxpayers of this district, who are footing the legal costs of an unnecessary battle.
Mr. Martin Garcia, Chairman of the CFTOD Board of Directors
Garcia went on to say that Disney’s federal charges against CFTOD are “fake” and that the charges amount to an “offensive” publicity stunt. Garcia also spoke about Disney’s relationship with the former RCID and “how we got to this point.”
Disney has capitalized on the generosity of Floridians over the years through the Reedy Creek Improvement Act of 1967. What initially worked to promote economic development in Central Florida later turned out to be an urban planning quagmire with terrible governance practices.
The problem was finally brought to light and Disney was caught. In 1967, Disney established an agreement in 1967 to minimize, if not eliminate, all obstacles in its campaign to mow the District in order to maximize Disney’s profits at the expense of the public interest. law to gain a foothold in Central Florida. […] The Reedy Creek Improvement District could be described as, to quote, a “public-private partnership.” Indeed, in terms of scope and scale, it became one of the greatest examples of corporate cronyism in modern American history.
Mr. Martin Garcia, Chairman of the CFTOD Board of Directors
This is not the first time Garcia has commented on Disney and its ongoing battle with the DeSantis-approved board of directors and the Florida governor himself. In a letter to the editor of the Orlando Sentinel last month, he said Disney “remains a significant influence” in the Orlando Sentinel district.
Disney and DeSantis feud
This is the latest in a long-running overall feud between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who handpicked the members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board when the Reedy Creek Improvement District was dissolved. be.
The governor of Florida and the Walt Disney Company initially clashed over Walt Disney Company’s opposition. A much debated and controversial Florida law In conjunction with various recent state laws and proposals to similar intent regarding classroom instruction and discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.
Bob Chapek, the CEO at the time, was initially silent and passive on the issue, until massive internal criticism and controversy erupted from cast members and the LGBTQ+ community. Disney making large political contributions to campaigns and individuals The focus was on actions that they themselves described as violating human principles.
In apparent retaliation for Chapek’s expressed opposition, the governor pursued a variety of verbal and legal attacks against Disney, including dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District and ultimately transferring power directly to the governor. DeSantis claims he is attacking an incredibly vague perception of what he calls “woke politics.” He has allegedly invaded the state and has frequently stated his intention to put Floridians first through these actions and the newly formed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board:
For too long, Disney has avoided special deals from Florida. Disney took a look under the hood to truly understand the implications of its impropriety.
All members of this governing body is a handpicked ally of the governor So far, they include a Christian nationalist and lawyer who has donated $50,000 to DeSantis’ gubernatorial campaign. In May, a district administrator (Glenn Gilzean) was also appointed with a significant $400,000 salary increase directly related to the ongoing legal battle led by DeSantis over Disney and several other issues around the state. It was conducted.Statutory expenditures made by the governor Funded by Florida taxpayers.
DeSantis has previously argued that he is attacking a vague perception of what he calls “woke politics” and is allegedly invading the state, including these actions and the newly established Central Florida He has frequently stated his intention to put Floridians first through the Tourism Oversight District Board.
For too long, Disney has avoided special deals from Florida. Disney took a look under the hood to truly understand the implications of its impropriety.
DeSantis said in an interview with CNBC that he has “moved on” from his fight with the Walt Disney Company and wants the entire matter to be dropped.
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Administrator Glenn Gilzean Jr. resigned from his position as Florida Ethics Commission chairman last month after he was found to have violated the commission’s rules by assuming district duties.
In late August, it was revealed that CFTOD had already ended the Walt Disney World annual pass program for employees without any notice.
Disney and its affiliates pay about 86 percent of the district’s property taxes, which fund legal fees, and Disney has said it will foot the bill at both parties’ expense in the fight against CFTOD and DeSantis. It is expected.
In early September, CFTOD filed a motion to dismiss Disney’s counterclaim at the state level, stating multiple times in supporting documents that Disney had “dirty hands.”
Just recently, amid the ongoing battle between Disney, DeSantis, and the CFTOD board, new documents surfaced regarding why the board discontinued the diversity contract program. He cited the high cost and the “un-American” nature of the program.
What do you think of Garcia’s new comments regarding the federal lawsuit against Disney and CFTOD? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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