Disney District Plans Denied by Florida House Speaker Renner

House Speaker Paul Renner, a Republican, has announced that he will not entertain any modifications to a special taxing district that has become the center of a dispute between Governor Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney Co. During a press conference on Tuesday, Renner expressed his support for the changes made last year, which involved renaming the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Additionally, these changes granted Governor DeSantis the authority to appoint the district's board.

Florida House Speaker RennerPhoto byCBS News

In a significant development, control was effectively transferred from Disney, a company with strong ties to the Reedy Creek district. "We seem to have made progress in the right direction," Renner stated, expressing a reluctance to revert back.

The new district leaders have released reports that support the move, according to him. On Friday, the Orange County legislative delegation, which is primarily made up of Democrats, supported a bill that aims to have the district redrawn once again.

In the 1960s, the state established the Reedy Creek district, which was given the power to oversee various matters, including land use, fire protection, and sewer services. This jurisdiction covers the land where Disney parks and resorts are located. In 2022, a feud erupted between Disney and DeSantis following the company's criticism of a state law that places limitations on classroom instruction regarding gender identity and sexual orientation.

During a meeting with the legislative delegation, Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson expressed her concerns about the district being caught in the middle of a larger conflict that is impacting the region. She highlighted the unfortunate consequence of people leaving their jobs in various divisions, such as the public works department.

The Source:

cbsnews