Proposed Bill Would Undo DeSantis’ Reedy Creek Takeover
Amid growing criticism of the Ron DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), State Senator Linda Steward is preparing to file a bill that would repeal the governor’s takeover of the special district and revert control back to Disney.
The district, she says, has been plagued by cronyism and poor employee morale since the CFTOD took control in February.
“I am looking at every avenue possible to get this overturned,” the Orlando Democrat said. “We are going to try to get people to vote and see how many people still believe in how they voted the first time.”
The Bill Will Not Pass
While Orange Country’s legislative delegation will discuss the bill on November 29, the proposed law has little to no chance of passing.
Republicans firmly control the legislature. Additionally, less than a year ago, state lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to overhaul the former Reedy Creek Improvement District.
Stewart’s bill will have one unlikely ally in State Sen. Gruters (R-Sarasota). The Donald Trump supporter previously broke rank with his party and sided with Disney in April. Now, the former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida has signaled he would be open to supporting Stewart’s bill.
“The people’s pocketbooks are more powerful at influencing corporate behavior than the heavy hand of government,” he said.
The Disney Defenders
Meanwhile, a citizen group named the Disney Defenders has begun a referendum campaign to put control of the CFTOD on the ballot.
“Our message to everyone has been we are working to defend the American dream that made Walt Disney’s dream possible,” said Chris Wills, a Miami political activist leading the effort.
One of the group’s initiatives would enshrine Reedy Creek in the state constitution. Another would require supermajority voter approval to dissolve a special district. It would also authorize a recall election for public officials who engage in political retaliation.
So far, however, The Disney Defenders have raised no money and have gotten no signatures verified.
The Story That Won’t End
While the initiative has no chance of succeding, it has proven to be an annoyance for the CFTOD board members. At the district’s monthly board meeting in November, Disney Defenders gave pink slips to board members, telling them they would be fired by voters.
Although none of the latest developments will likely have any effect on the ongoing battle between DeSantis and Disney, the circus rages on.
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