The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Calls Disney’s Motion To Dismiss “Classic Imagineering”
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) has formally responded to Disney’s request to dismiss the company’s lawsuit against the special district.
While Disney has sued Governor Ron DeSantis and the CFTOD in federal court, the CFTOD has likewise sued Disney in state court.
Why The CFTOD Is Suing Disney
The crux of the state court lawsuit surrounds the eleventh-hour binding agreements that Disney made with the Reedy Creek Improvement before that special district was dissolved.
In those agreements, Reedy Creek essentially gave Disney self-governing autonomy in perpetuity.
While Disney argues that the agreements are legal and binding, the CFTOD has argued that the agreements were “in violation of Florida law giving public notice, procedures for considering development agreements, and taxpayer approval, among other things.”
Disney’s Motion To Dismiss
In their filing, Disney argued that the state court should stay the case in favor of Disney’s federal case. Furthermore, they argue that because Florida subsequently passed a bill voiding Disney’s agreements (a bill the company calls unconstitutional in its federal case), the state’s lawsuit is moot.
The CFTOD Responds
In their response, the CFTOD called Disney’s motion to dismiss the suit “classic Imagineering, inviting the Court to make believe that reality is whatever Disney dreams up.”
The CFTOD goes on to argue that the state court’s decision on Disney’s binding Reedy Creek agreements will have an effect on Disney’s federal suit.
Additionally, the district argues that their lawsuit in state court was filed first and that the two lawsuits are not in “concurrent jurisdiction.”
The response to the motion to dismiss ends simply that “because neither dismissal nor a stay is proper, Disney’s motion should be denied.”
As always, be sure to check back in with MickeyBlog. We will continue to bring you updates on all of the news surrounding the ongoing battle between Disney and Ron DeSantis.
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