The ongoing battle between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney seems to be far from over.
In February 2023, DeSantis appointed members for a new board that would oversee the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which replaced the former Reedy Creek Improvement District. Since then, the battle has been ongoing as the Board has sued Disney, Disney countersued the Board, and later on, the Board even revoked Reedy Creek employee perks and benefits that involved Disney. Now, new statements form the Board let us know that this battle is far from over.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board is responsible for maintaining roads, issuing building permits, and managing the land and waterways that Disney owns. According to the Washington Post, the Board just approved a $194.5 million budget for fiscal 2024, which included details pertaining to the Board’s relationship with Disney.
Included in the 2024 budget is $4.5 million for litigation, following the $1.9 million that the Board used for lawyers in 2023 — “mostly to fight Disney in Court.” Members apparently stated that they needed more money to pursue legal battles, specifically Disney’s countersuit.
However, as more money was allocated for said legal battles, the budget was DECREASED by $3 million. This portion of the budget was previously allocated to repairing and repaving the district’s 134 miles of asphalt. The Board reportedly stated that the cut was due to “supply issues.”
Chad Emerson, a lawyer and business executive who authored a book regarding the origin of “Project Future,” which is the code name for Disney World, said, “Disney had 50 years or so of [managing the district] and had figured out how to make it run and how to make the guest experience great. I don’t think [the new Board] cares much about the guest experience.”
Well, we’ll continue to keep up with the ongoing battle, and we’ll be sure to keep you all updated as well. Make sure to follow along so that you’re always in the loop as well.
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What do you think of the Board’s budget reallocations? Let us know in the comments!
So the budget was cut by $3 million and the legal line is $4.5 million so that’s a net of $7.5 million less in what would previously have gone to services. Where does this money come from now? Is Disney still paying for this? Seems to me that something has to give here. They angered the employees and now they will rob infrastructure and services to try and ‘punish’ Disney. And tell everyone they know how to take care of roads and such. What was it they said at the very beginning? Oh yeah. Taxpayers won’t pay for this. Keep telling yourself that Floridians.
I think they hope Disney won’t be able to keep up with the roads the district won’t stop until Disney takes other offers the governor makes disney relocate or go bankrupt the governors ultimate goal