War for the Corporate Empire: DeSantis’ new board for control with Disney

A board appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to oversee a district that oversees Disney World appears headed for a legal battle with the corporate giant.

In the hours before the Florida House of Representatives agreed to a state takeoverthe Board — still under the control of those appointed by the company — transferred many of the Special District’s responsibilities to Disney’s control.

“The Executive Office of the Governor is aware of Disney’s last-ditch efforts to execute contracts shortly before ratification of new legislation transferring rights and powers from the former Reedy Creek Improvement District to Disney,” said a spokeswoman for the governor’s office, Taryn .

DESANTIS SIGNS LEGISLATION REPEALING DISNEY’S SELF-GOVERNMENT

According to developer agreements signed Feb. 8, the Florida House passed legislation on the same day controlling portions of Disney’s land that Reedy Creek Improvement District transferred most of his power to Disney for the next 30 years.

The governor was unaware of the former board’s agreements before putting his stamp on the new district, the DeSantis office said. However, they were passed by the board during a public session that included public hearings.

“An initial review indicates that these agreements may have significant legal weaknesses that would render the contracts legally invalid,” Fenske said. “We are pleased that the new board of directors appointed by the governor has retained several finance and law firms to conduct audits and investigate Disney’s past conduct.”

The movements were not widely known until a Wednesday meeting of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board, formerly known as the Reedy Creek Special District.

“I can’t think of a more naked attempt to circumvent the will of the voters, the Florida legislature and the governor,” said new board member Brian Aungst Jr.

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DeSantis has fought with Disney since the corporate giant opposed legislation on parental rights in education. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“This development agreement, which I believe is void … was passed on the same day that the Florida House passed legislation creating this body, and it was done to prevent us from doing our jobs,” he continued . “That’s offensive to me.”

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The previous board, which oversaw aspects of Disney World, approved a series of agreements that gave the corporate giant a wide range of control. (Getty Images for Disney Dreamers Academy)

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Disney said in a statement, “All agreements signed between Disney and the District were reasonable and were discussed and approved in open, respected public forums in accordance with the Florida government’s Sunshine Act.”

The new board has hired two outside law firms to weigh up legal disputes.