Disney has had a sweet deal in Florida for decades. It might not last much longer.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, widely expected to run for president next year, intensified his feud with Disney on Friday with a plan to take control of the governing board for the company’s sprawling Florida property—and make the entertainment giant assume $700 million in outstanding debt.
Walt Disney World has enjoyed the privileges of a special governing district, called Reedy Creek, since 1967.
“The corporate kingdom has come to an end,” said Taryn Fenske, communications director for the governor, in a statement. “Under the proposed legislation, Disney will no longer control its own government, will live under the same laws as everyone else, will be responsible for their outstanding debts, and will pay their fair share of taxes.”
A notice posted to the Osceola County website suggested the proposed legislation would leave almost no aspect