Florida Lawmakers Move to Take Over Disney’s Special-Tax District.

If approved, bill would give Gov. Ron DeSantis the power to appoint members to oversee the district, instead of eliminating it, as governor had pledged

Walt Disney Co.’s dominion over its magic kingdom in Florida may be coming to an end.

Republicans in Florida’s House of Representatives on Monday filed a bill that would dramatically alter the governance—and even change the name of—the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a special-tax district near Orlando that has allowed Disney to self-govern the land that houses its Walt Disney World Resort for more than 50 years. The move is the culmination of GOP efforts floated last year to rein in Disney’s special tax status, though it stops short of eliminating it outright.

The bill, sponsored by Orlando Rep. Fred Hawkins, would rename Reedy Creek as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and give Gov. Ron DeSantis the authority to appoint members to its governing body, the five-member board of supervisors. Florida’s state Senate would have to approve any such appointments.

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The Wall Street Journal

By Robbie Whelan

Feb. 6, 2023



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