Ron DeSantis continues to repeat the claim that Disney doesn't want to pay taxes and receives favorable treatment

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Walt Disney Company headquarters in Burbank, California

Posted: Thursday April 27, 2023 11:40am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has today responded to Disney filing a major lawsuit against him and the entire board of his hand-picked Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Following the same pattern of behavior that the Florida Governor has exhibited in his attacks on Disney over the last year, he repeated claims that Disney doesn't follow the same rules as everyone else and is put on a pedestal.

DeSantis frequently talks about Disney not paying its fair share of taxes and how that will change under his new oversight district. Disney points out that in 2022, it paid $1.146 billion in state and local taxes, making the Walt Disney Company the largest single taxpayer in Central Florida.

Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

Speaking to media during a visit to Israel, DeSantis said, "They're upset because they're having to live by the same rules as everybody else. They don't want to pay the same taxes as everybody else and they want to be able to control things without proper oversight. The days of putting one company on a pedestal with no accountability are over in the state of Florida."

Disney claims in its lawsuit filed in a federal court yesterday that there has been "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."

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DCBaker1 day ago

The agenda and documents for the CFTOD Board of Supervisors meeting is now available at the link below. Included in this packet are documents related to the FY2023 Annual Financial Statement presentation and an annual audit by Cherry Bekaert, LLP. As a head's up, the meeting has shifted an hour from previous times - it is scheduled to begin at 10:30am. https://www.oversightdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BOS-Meeting-Packet-4-24-24-Final-P.pdf

flynnibus6 days ago

Looks to be moved https://www.oversightdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BOS-Meeting-04-24-24-Agenda-Outline.pdf

wdwmagic6 days ago

Amazing, there is actually some real business on the agenda for a change.

DCBaker6 days ago

The agenda outline for the next CFTOD meeting on Wednesday, April 24 is available at this link*: https://www.oversightdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BOS-Meeting-04-24-24-Agenda-Outline.pdf *Edited to update as the link was changed after posting (thanks @flynnibus!).

flyakite8 days ago

Batman'sParents11 days ago

Was curious about this: Is there an expectation that CFTOD will delegate some responsibilities to the cities as part of the understanding between the state and Disney?

Dcgc2814 days ago

All good! I was going to be blown away lol

MR.Dis14 days ago

error, I edited the original post

mkt15 days ago

Here's the motion

mkt15 days ago

what's the new case number? Disregard, found it. 24-10342-H

Dcgc2815 days ago

They objected the delay?

MR.Dis15 days ago

Federal Judge officially granted a 60 day delay on the Federal Case. Disney requested so a new developement agreement could be negotiated, the CFTOD did not object.

mmascari20 days ago

Same formality as completing the new agreement. They clearly think everyone will work in good faith and get an acceptable resolution. One where not having representation in the CFTOD board is ok.

flynnibus20 days ago

Sounds like walking away from the Federal case is only a matter of formality at this point... or the roof caving in. Those aren't the words of someone cautiously optimistic for an outcome... those are the words of someone who already knows the game plan and they aren't holdiing a gun to anyone.