The act allows Disney to operate with its own county government and Florida officials have been threatening its removal in response to Disney’s statements against the Parental Rights in Education bill (commonly called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill). During the session, the Republican-controlled Florida Senate voted to dissolve Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. This morning, some state governors from around the country responded to the session.
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded noting that Florida has taken a “business-friendly” stance in the past and calling out today’s action as opposing that stance and resembling an “authoritarian regime.”
THIS is what “business friendly” means? 🤔
We protect free speech in California. We help our businesses grow, thrive, and invent the future.
Punishing businesses for speaking out against hatred is the move of an authoritarian regime. https://t.co/dACO1jL5PC
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 20, 2022
Florida’s authoritarian socialist attacks on the private sector are driving businesses away. In CO, we don’t meddle in affairs of companies like @Disney or @Twitter. Hey @Disney we’re ready for Mountain Disneyland and @twitter we’re ready for Twitter HQ2, whoever your owners are https://t.co/r7Vcvu20eb
— Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) April 19, 2022
We will grant Mickey and Minnie full asylum in Colorado https://t.co/xpkqvEYoCu
— Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) April 19, 2022
Click here to learn more about the senate vote.
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Business has wielded their powerful influence on government too long. The so called “Don’t Say Straight” Bill (yes, if some people can say it is the “Don’t say Gay” bill one can say the opposite – since no where in the bill does it say either) says teaching should be age appropriate and the parents of the students should have a say in what is taught.
When a corporation tries to impose their will on government it is ok, but if representatives of the people of Florida try to allow more say for the parent it is not ok? I’m confused?
I am a Disney fan since I first saw the Wonderful World of Disney on my black and white tv so don’t say I am a “boycott” person, I am not that. I believe in freewill. But name me the other businesses that have the kind of “special privilege’s” that WDW has in any of the other states. Why does one company have the special privileges and not others. It’s time to level the business field in Florida.
I whole-heartily believe Disney will still do fine. And if the other taxpayers have to foot some of the bill, Disney should take their savings and invest in making their destination more affordable, it’s probably what “Walt would have wanted”. After all, doesn’t Disney leadership care about their “Guests”?
Thank-you for letting me rant a bit.
This is being spun as “punishment” when in fact it is only reversing 50+ years of “preferential” treatment. Disney has plenty of employees who can vote to change the law in question or to reinstate the improvement district. Walt chose Orlando for a reason. Disney can close up shop there, but they would be hard pressed to find what Walt found anywhere else. Regardless of what triggered this, it is probably time for Disney to play on the same field as other companies in Florida.
Soooo…responses from two states, both of which are notoriously hard left?
Keep going DeSantis and FL government. Nip this ridiculousness early enough and Disney as a company might be saved.
All things Disney represent a beautiful, magical escape from reality. You can fly on a ship with Peter Pan or Pirates. You can target Emperor Zurg with your laser blaster. Guests can soar between treetops in Pandora. Did I mention a sweet flying elephant? You can visit planets that exist only in your imagination. You can revisit history as every single United States President introduces himself. Imagination and beauty are everywhere. Let’s keep Disney a non judgemental destination for everyone. As Walt said, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome.” No need to become involved in issues that have no place in this precious world of fantasy. There are numerous outlets for that. Please keep the magic alive
for over 50 years walt disney world has provided happiness and joy for millions of people from all over the world that have come to spend their vacations there!! it just seems wrong to go after walt disney world after all that disney has brought to the state of florida.
“We protect free speech in California.” This is the same California that is home to Twitter, Facebook, Google, and Apple. These companies represent some of the most authoritarian, anti-free speech companies in the country. Every single one of these companies has censored content, often not in a even-handed or balanced way and in many cases in response to requests from other authoritarian regimes such as China. Yet California does nothing about that. Protect free speech? I don’t think so.
And Newsom spent the previous two years as a dictator over businesses, forcing many to close. Enough sane people forced a recall election that unfortunately did not work. I am sure many small business owners voted against him.
I’m not here to pick a side and this isn’t the place to do it. And neither is Disney, yes I realize they have a huge platform to do so.
What irks me is that Chapek didn’t see this coming. You don’t poke the bear, in this case the Republicans. How do you not have the foresight to see this? How do you not have anyone tell you that this very thing is going to happen? And I don’t want to hear he’s courageous. His original comments and silence tells you how they feel. Ok. So be it.
From everything I’ve read, Chapek is a numbers guy. Continue doing that and making the company money hand over fist, but leave politics alone.
Now he’s stepped in it. He doesn’t have the savy and charisma to navigate politics in my opinion. It’s going to take a lot of groveling and political donations to fix this.