trademarks, service marks, and trade names are proprietary to Disney Enterprises, Inc. or, its But that doesnt mean he agrees with the decision, he said. On April 27, 2017, MoneyControl reported that the Trump administration has proposed a corporate tax cut from the existing 35.0% to 15.0%. He convened a special legislative session and invited the Republican-controlled legislature to dissolve Disneys self-governing district. Theres a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day.. trailer <]/Prev 89027>> startxref 0 %%EOF 77 0 obj <>stream The meat packers in Wisconsin were doing so well that they sponsored what became the only non-billionaire-owned NFL football team the Green Bay Packers from day one. Florida Gov. On July 17, 1955, Walt Disney opened Disneyland on 54 acres in Anaheim with the simple goal of creating a park in which "parents and children could have fun together." Today, our . 0000005347 00000 n They were well-paid jobs that allowed construction and meatpacking workers to buy a home, take vacations, raise their kids and live a good, middle-class life with a pension for retirement. From the Republican point of view, an added bonus was that levels of unionization in both industries utterly collapsed, increasing profits and executives salaries while gutting the ability of unions to finance Democrats political campaigns. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Many had suggested that the bill dissolving the RCID that was passed last year was an act of retaliation against Disneys comments against Floridas Parental Rights in Education bill (what critics called Dont Say Gay) and DeSantis seemed to touch on that during the event. This was the same project that generated the investigation into potential data falsification. AllEars.Net, AllEars Newsletter and any other properties owned by AllEarsNet, LLC are not 0000041456 00000 n standards and applicable government regulations. If they think they see a signal, they'll pull medical records or death certificates to confirm these patients actually got the vaccine and actually experienced the adverse event, say, heart failure. Its a significant setback for Disneys Florida operations. Disney is too far invested in Florida. The Walt Disney Co. ( DIS) is a global entertainment company that operates a broad range of businesses, including theme parks and resorts, film studios, broadcast TV networks, and a cruise. Speakers at the event included a parent who criticized Disney for speaking out against the states education bill, saying the company chose the wrong side of the moral argument. 0000006473 00000 n And the small percentage of migrants who actually get through our border and survive the trek across deadly deserts provide more cheap labor for Republicans big donors factories and construction sites, along with more Brown-skinned people they can demonize as replacing white Americans on Fox News. Win-win. However, the increase in 2021 and 2022 is better explained by the biggest and most carefully-monitored vaccine rollout in US history, more stringent reporting requirements for COVID vaccines, and increased public awareness of the VAERS system. The district is also losing some of its power, like the ability to potentially create a nuclear power plant. Government Regulations in Disney Introduction The Walt Disney company along with its affiliates and subsidiaries is considered to be a diversified and leading family entertainment and media enterprise with five major business segments; interactive media, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and media networks founded in California with offices located throughout the world. DeSantis, whose book, The Courage to be Free, is coming out Tuesday, has moved in recent weeks to expand his political network through fundraisers and meetings with donors, elected officials and conservative influencers, adding to the speculation around his larger political aspirations. The committee is meant to be bipartisan and to provide expertise and transparency to the process, Colwell said. H\0yCL@a>5cWXcS/$d&cAG.8q6`CemS /c?`[SiZ0vW-XW~r[tui5REMiz39z4_LY}Ya( Utz)tv24qLx+e s(|d> rb The decision came after hours of impassioned public comment both for and against the plan. The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is a multinational corporation founded in the United States in 1923. Due to this bill, the RCID now has a new name The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. As a further nod to the politicised nature of his action, DeSantis made overt the connection between his hostile move against Disney and his anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. READ MORE: The inherent racism of anti-vaxx movements. -E3R: xu5N ldg&P#4W4 Florida lawmakers passed legislation that would dissolve Reedy Creek as of June 1 as a way to punish Disney for opposing the Dont Say Gay law, but after that raised concerns that getting rid of the district would burden local taxpayers, the legislature backtracked on its plan, passing legislation earlier in February that overhauls the district instead of getting rid of it entirely. The supervisors moved forward despite a warning from the attorney generals office they received on Monday night, in which the solicitor general wrote that he had serious concerns about the legality of the drafted agreement. This move marks the culmination of a recent feud between the state of Florida and one of its largest and most recognizable companies. The new law leaves Reedy Creek and its debt obligations intact, changes its name to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and subjects it to closer oversight by the government in Tallahassee. Disney envisioned a theme park, hotels, resorts and golf courses, all centered around the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, or Epcot. Florida Gov. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill to revoke Disney World's self-governing status within the 39-square-mile area known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID). Thinking that now the only Disney property project that may gain DeSanitis support would be a large monument to himself, placed in front of an evanjellycal church. Disney) will be replaced by members entirely selected by Governor DeSantis and confirmed by the Florida Senate. State Rep. Anna Eskamani (D), who represents the area around Walt Disney World, told Fox 35 after the bill was introduced she believes the legislation is a complete power grab by DeSantis to award his friends these positions of authority, which can then lead to contracts being pushed toward his friends as well. Eskamani introduced an amendment to the bill that would rename the district Florida's Attempt to Silence Critical and Independent Speech and Thought (FASCIST), which did not pass. Thats how many acres Reedy Creek takes up in central Florida, according to the special district. Last year, he disregarded CDC guidelines and recommended against covid mRNA vaccines for men aged 18 to 39. 0000003499 00000 n Still, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes told Votebeat on Tuesday that historically, Arizona counties have made this type of decision on how to delegate election responsibilities and they should have the right to do so. 43 0 obj <> endobj xref 43 35 0000000016 00000 n 0000004093 00000 n But now there's been an important update. The Disney property would form its own municipal government, petitioning the state to create what is known as a "special district" - essentially a specialized mini-government created by the state that is allowed to act mostly independently of other, general local governments. Anika Hope, a reporter with WESH news, shared a paper that DeSantis team provided to the media at the event. The new law changes the districts name from the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and subjects it to various layers of state oversight. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that gives him control of Walt Disney World's self-governing district, punishing the company over its opposition to the so-called Don't Say Gay law. 0000002793 00000 n incurred and will continue to incur additional costs to address government regulations and the safety of . with us. The Walt Disney Company Announces Strategic Reorganization Of Its Media And Entertainment Businesses New Structure Designed to Further Accelerate the Company's Direct-to-Consumer Strategy, in light of the Rapid Success of Disney+ Media and internet exposure also drive VAERS reporting. For example, prior to the Reagan administration two of the most heavily unionized industries in America were construction and meatpacking. We are focused on the future and are ready to work within this new framework.. 0000008790 00000 n Quite literally taking their lives in their hands because they believed cynical, unfeeling, uncaring, sociopathic Republican politicians who are lying for political gain. When vaccine safety is in the news, people are more likely to attribute their symptoms to vaccines and more motivated to report those symptoms to VAERS. She was a founder of the rightwing education group Moms for Liberty. We're ranking bars and lounges in Disney Springs. Others, repeating the unfounded claim that the countys vote-counting machines are insecure, said Stevens would bring more trust to the system and it would save the county money by not immediately appointing a new elections director. Everybody loses except the employers, who have a cheap, pliable, easily-threatened source of labor that is afraid to talk back or report abuses. But now theres been an important update. Its way past time for our media to call out Republican exploitation and demagoguery of this issue so we can finally and comprehensively reform our immigration laws. 0000003235 00000 n H\]0F+r9s1M^mtk[jo)3c>. These were tough jobs, but in both cases provided people who just had a high school education with a solid entry card into the American Dream. While once again jailing employers who break our immigration laws instead of the desperate people they invited here so they have to exclusively hire American citizens and Green Card holders may cut into big business profits (which they can easily afford), everybody else in our society will be the better for it. here, or any other laws in connection with the Company's business, please call the Guideline or the Corporate Legal Department. Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort on March 3, 2022, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Board members would have the power to take actions like rejecting theme park construction proposals if they wanted to, which could affect guests experiences. I think you have vilified the election process.. The way that most countries prevent undocumented immigrants from disrupting their economies and causing cheap labor competition with their citizens is by putting employers in jail or hitting them with huge fines when they hire people who dont have the right to work in that country. "There's a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day." CNN reported that the president of Walt Disney World Resort, Jeff Vahle, said in a statement that the Disney company is "ready to work within this new framework, and we will continue to . this action by governor desantis may deter other businesses from locating in florida. They found nothing. Its not accusatory enough. In the media event, DeSantis also indicated that hed like to give control of the area over to the local county at some point if possible. company ,that wants to be treated like an independent nation. DeSantis also discussed how there is a desire to make Disney what Walt always envisioned. | His edits were not posted publicly before the vote, but the board discussed some of them while voting. DeSantis is trying to brand himself as the biggest antivax loon in the GOP presidential primary. It leaves the district and its financial abilities and debt obligations intact, addressing a chief concern of surrounding governments. Heading to Disney World in March? After a closed session to discuss the letter, Judd said she didnt see a problem going ahead. The governor has also come under fire for recently replacing the entire board at the New College of Florida, a progressive state-run liberal arts college that DeSantis administration is now trying to remake to be more Christian and conservative. Fontes said he has received numerous messages of concern and complaint from Cochise County residents worried about the recent challenges to the countys election system. We built this house on sand, English said, clearly referencing the false claims about election fraud the board has heard in recent work sessions leading up to the supervisors decision. Disney, which had previously tried to stay out of the political controversy around the legislation, ultimately came out against it, saying in a statement after the law was enacted that it should never have been passed or enacted, and that its goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts. That set off DeSantis and Florida Republicans, who responded by taking aim at Reedy Creek and ultimately enacting legislation to dissolve it in April. "Allowing a corporation to control its own government is bad policy, especially when the corporation makes decisions that impact an entire region," DeSantis said in a written statement. Required fields are marked *. 0000005088 00000 n Most of the 27,000 acres Disney bought in Florida was undeveloped swampland. This legislation ends Disneys self-governing status, makes Disney live under the same laws as everybody else, and ensures that Disney pays its debts and fair share of taxes.. Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, told Fox 35 he believes the impact will largely depend on DeSantis appointees. All Disney artwork, copyrights, Republican critics of the district argue it gives Disney a commercial advantage unavailable to others. Note, however, thatthe District will still have two years to continue doing business under the RCID name so they can make changes to legal and financial documents among other things. Immigration issues are riling the entire developed world, as refugees flee war and climate change looking for safety and better lives. Reportedly these individuals will have their first meeting a week from Wednesday (WESH). He said he believes its important to point out the historical perspective that numerous counties have made the decision to transfer duties to the recorder in the past. Disney has not yet responded to DeSantis signing the bill into law, but the company has previously said it would not fight the governors takeover of Reedy Creek. It provoked an outcry from LGBTQ+ and other groups across the country, with Joe Biden denouncing it as hateful. And its turning the politics of developed countries upside-down, ushering in hardcore rightwing governments from Sweden to Hungary to Italy. Crosby and Judd dismissed Bendors letter. have reopened, we have incurred additional costs to address government regulations and the safety of our . . Shop The park opened to the public in 1971. But thats it.). 0000005236 00000 n Having a separate government allows the district to issue bonds and provide zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure services on its land. This led to an explosion of fly-by-night and immigration-law-skirting subcontractors providing cheap undocumented labor for everything from construction to fieldwork to cleaning factories (like the most recent charge of child labor violations in Nebraska). Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ have grown by 57 million subscribers to hit more than 235 . But literally hundreds of Republican politicians, just like they do every two years, have spent the two-plus years since Bidens inauguration proclaiming to every despairing potential refugee south of our border that the door is wide open. You can see the full press conference below. FILE - Florida Gov. Florida Gov. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Gov. Its Going to Happen Celebrity Comments on the Possibility of a Disney Movie Sequel! The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s. 0000014585 00000 n Its five members are to be replaced Monday by DeSantis allies, including a prolific Republican donor who gave $50,000 to the governor's reelection, a co-founder of the conservative Moms for Liberty group and the wife of the Florida Republican Party's chairman. I am glad that Gov DeSantis said that Disney had lost its way & needs to go back to Walts vision & hopefully soon! Under the new bill, the District will have some new responsibilities, like filing certain reports. The end of Disneys Reedy Creek Improvement District has finally arrived. 0000027859 00000 n They pack all their belongings into a single backpack, bid tearful goodbyes to friends and family, and begin a grueling journey facing dangers of death, kidnapping, rape, and violence. 0000004118 00000 n The first part has been running continuously for 40 years; the second part is more recent, having started in the early 1990s. Taking the interim job as elections director is the best way to solve the problem, he said. The futuristic city never materialized and instead morphed into a second theme park that opened in 1982. The bill requires DeSantis, a Republican, to appoint a five-member board to oversee the government services that the Disney district provides in its sprawling theme park properties in Florida. He is expected to utilize the coming regular legislative session, which begins next week, to bolster his conservative agenda before he announces his candidacy for president. At his news conference, DeSantis said he would appoint Tampa attorney Martin Garcia as the chairman of the districts new governing board, along with new board members Bridget Ziegler, a conservative school board member and wife of the Florida Republican party chairman Christian Ziegler; Brian Aungst Jr., an attorney and son of a former two-term Republican mayor of Clearwater; Mike Sasso, an attorney; and Ron Peri, head of The Gathering USA ministry. In 1963, they flew to Florida and viewed sites, according to historian Rick Fogelsong. Republicans have figured out how to have it both ways. Wanting to replicate the success of Disneyland, the brothers imagined an 'East Coast Disneyland.' They did it to Clinton, they did it to Obama, and theyre doing it to Biden now. It also lists a few duties that Stevens will have, such as managing special taxing districts, but then says generally the Recorder shall be responsible for all other election functions.. The feud also reinforced the governors brash, go-it-alone leadership style, penalizing a massive employer, tourism driver and political donor in the state over the companys stance on a piece of legislative policy. The bill allows Republican Ron DeSantis to appoint his own board to oversee the services provided in the theme park by Disney, which attracted the governor's ire last year after it criticized a law banning school lessons on sexual orientation. "Since the 1960s, they've . affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, The Walt Disney Ron DeSantis revoked a special tax privilege that allows Walt Disney Co. to govern the land housing its theme parks, escalating a dispute over Disneys opposition to legislation limiting classroom instruction on gender and sexuality. Critics say the move looks like retaliation. Walt Disney World is governed by the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which functions like a county government and takes care of things like roads, construction permits, fire services, building codes, water and waste collection, among other infrastructure concerns. Gov. Having a separate government allows the district to issue bonds and provide zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure services on its land. X~8kA^[r_;40\CeQ>ps^*7OfVoUnz+6M?0]d(Bfzm*0WN cX SkD(d~Q~r]q"8qB>03d.g83N"WUU1sL(:Gq{=bVY"+WGOgf\hn4irM&>|4;hr82S{Gsv|kIb>+ endstream endobj 49 0 obj <> endobj 50 0 obj <>stream The legislation, which took effect upon being signed Monday, renames Reedy Creek as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and completely throws out its board, which will now instead be made up of five officials who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, and cannot have worked for a company that owns a theme park within the last three years. 0000001470 00000 n The move comes after Crosby and Judd for months challenged the countys fall election procedures in ways that drew national attention, including attempting to illegally hand count all ballots and then refusing to certify the election results, against the advice of the county attorney and the secretary of state. Masthead | Democratic state congresswoman Anna Eskamani, who represents the area around Walt Disney World, pointed to what she called the "absolutely wild" scenario of a capitalist like DeSantis celebrating the government takeover of a private board. READ MORE: The antivaxers' ghoulish exploitation of dead celebrities. It also prevents people who have worked with or contracted with a theme park in the past three years from serving on the districts new governing board. The takeover of the Disney district began last year when the entertainment giant, facing intense pressure, publicly opposed Dont Say Gay, which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and lessons deemed not age-appropriate. The system is working just the way Reagan envisioned it. The 39-square-mile (101-square-kilometer) park operated largely unnoticed by the state government until it opposed the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law enacted last year, which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. 0000007459 00000 n As it previously stood, Reedy Creek is independent from Disney, but the company wields large power over its board, which is elected by the districts landowners: Disney, which owns two thirds of the districts land, and a small number of local residents and affiliates who the company has hand-picked to reside there, according to the Orlando Sentinel. 4 theme parks, 2 water parks , dozens of hotels. "There's a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day.". But even then, further research would be needed to determine whether the vaccine is the culprit or an innocent bystander. People always say Disney could just leave. While its true that two factors have driven a lot of migration over the past few decades (climate change wiping out farmland, and political dysfunction and gangs caused by the Reagan administration devastating the governments of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala) the main driver of would-be immigrants and refugees into the US over the past 40 years has been the Republican Party itself. Yuma County in 2019 shifted most election authorities under the recorder. Ron DeSantis is expected to bolster his conservative agenda before a presumed announcement for his candidacy for US president. He did this based on a severely flawed, non-peer-reviewed study conducted by unnamed individuals within the Florida Department of Health. hb```b``e @1VPu~3J 90v1lfdP W4_Js5ovX$kJt#iVssE,HQK`[&Nd4k ^sJz:8Vu 3f?o q_E ` KhxT&UI5!lP@8 pic.twitter.com/st0OEDeBaA, Anika Hope (@AnikaHopeTV) February 27, 2023. 0000015546 00000 n We experienced significant disruptions in the . One celebrity is championing the possibility of a Disney movie sequel! The district, created in 1967, exempted Disney from some regulations and taxes and allowed the company to avoid red tape for more than 50 years. I know the parks are booming but it will slow down and with under performing agenda driven movies and entertainment , not to mention the failing Disney plus.