Special Session on Reedy Creek to Be Held Monday
After months of public back and forth, Florida lawmakers will meet in special session next Monday to consider a their decision to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The Senate is expected to receive a bill from the House to revise the governance of powers of Reedy Creek, while still protecting local taxpayers from the district’s debt.
Mondays special session will be the next step in the state’s months long feud with Disney. Problems began after the company publicly criticized the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act.
What is Reedy Creek?
The Reedy Creek Improvement District was created in 1967. The district gives Disney governing power over the land they own in central Florida.
Per the district charter, Disney is given pseudo government authority including the ability to sell bonds, create taxes, manage land, and provide government services such a police and fire.
The creation of Reedy Creek was one of the stipulations that Disney required when seeking come to Florida.
End of the District?
Now, 53 years after its creation, Disney may lose the special privileges they were granted by the state of Florida.
Under the bill set to be debated on Monday, Reedy Creek would continue to exist. However, the district would longer be under the purview of the Walt Disney Company.
Instead, the State of Florida would assume control of the district. While some have suggested the legislative body could wait until the normal legislative session in a few months, Florida Rep. Randy fine, says that would be unnecessary.
“The sooner we do the Disney bill, the sooner people can plan. Period,” he said.
Disney Remains Quiet
While Disney and Reedy Creek have yet to comment on the session, Disney CEO Bob Iger previously highlighted the mutual beneficial relationship that Disney and Florida have had.
“I was sorry to see us dragged into that battle. I have no idea what its ramifications are in terms of the business itself. What I can say is that the state of Florida has been very important to us for a long time and that we have been very important to the state of Florida.” Iger said last November.
While the legislative’s final plan remains unclear, it seems that next week will provide some answers on Reedy Creek’s future.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!