Disney World on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state and local officials for allegedly engaging in “a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint.”
Disney’s complaint was filed in the Northern District of Florida. The legal action came right after a new special services district created by the state Legislature to oversee the company’s Orlando-area properties voted to declare development agreements approved by the former Reedy Creek Improvement District “void and unenforceable.”
DeSantis has criticized Disney officials for speaking out last year against a Florida measure banning discussion of sexuality and gender identity issues in public school classrooms.
“A targeted campaign of government retaliation – orchestrated at every step by Gov. 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,” the Disney lawsuit states.
A statement from the Governor’s Office, however, contends Florida has simply taken steps to remove Disney’s special status in the state – one that was symbolized by Disney’s control over the previous Reedy Creek district.
“We are unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses in the state,” DeSantis’ communications director, Taryn Fenske, said in a statement emailed to the Florida Record. “This lawsuit is yet another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.”
The lawsuit seeks to declare the voiding of Disney development contracts approved by Reedy Creek in January as unlawful and unenforceable. It seeks a similar declaration against state legislation that created the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, whose members are appointed by the governor.
The governor has also threatened to “look at things like taxes on hotels” and to create more amusement parks on the district’s property – or even locating a state prison next to Walt Disney World, according to the lawsuit.
Disney is one of the largest taxpayers in central Florida. It paid more than $1.1 billion state and local taxes in 2022, according to the complaint, and employs more than 75,000 cast members.