Florida state lawmakers’ power struggle with Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District is heating up. Florida State Rep. Fred Hawkins, a Republican from Osceola County, has filed a 30-day notice posted to Osceola County’s website that legislation be introduced to keep Reedy Creek beyond June 1, introduce state control over the district and prevent any of the district’s debts from being passed to local taxpayers.
“Disney will not have the ability to self-govern,” Hawkins wrote in a press release.
Reedy Creek Improvement District has had governing jurisdiction over Disney World for more than 50 years, but this past summer ran afoul of Florida Gov. Ron DiSantis following when Disney CEO Bob Chapek crticized Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, known as “Don’t Say Gay.”
Chapek’s criticism prompted DiSantis to call for the dissolution of Reedy Creek. Opponents of DiSantis claimed such a state takeover would be too costly. Hawkins, however, said the new proposed legislation will prevent taxpayers from assuming any of the district’s debt.
“The corporate kingdom has come to an end,” DeSantis’ communications director, Taryn Fenske, told Fox News. “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.”