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☆ Disney and Florida reach a deal, putting their legal war on hold
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Disney World and Florida have settled their legal dispute. The board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — which was DeSantis hand-picked to take control of Disneyworld's special tax district — agreed on Wednesday to settle the state lawsuit brought by Disney. AdvertisementBut just before DeSantis' allies took over the board, Disney's outgoing board members passed an agreement stripping the board of much of its power, effectively hamstringing DeSantis' incoming board. Related storiesNow, as part of the Disney-proposed settlement, Disney will agree to return power to the DeSantis-appointed board, which can now have a say in development plans and expansion. The settlement also instructs the tourism board to consult with Disney as it reviews and amends planning documents for the Disney World site.

Persons: Disney execs, DeSantis, Ron DeSantis, —, Bob Iger, Disneyworld, hamstringing, Iger, Disney, Charbel Barakat, Disney — I'm, Barakat, Walt, Jeff Vahle, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Egan, Jones, Nelson Peltz Organizations: Disney, Florida Gov, Service, Central, Improvement, DeSantis, Walt Disney World, Associated Press Locations: Florida, Central Florida, Reedy, Disney

☆ Disney agrees to settle Florida lawsuit with special district backed by DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board chairman Martin Garcia, right, delivers remarks as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis listens during a news conference at CFTOD headquarters at Walt Disney World on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Disney agreed Wednesday to end litigation in state court involving a Florida special tourism district that the entertainment giant effectively controlled for more than five decades until last year after Gov. The lawsuit was originally filed in state court by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to void agreements the old district board had signed with Disney right before it was dissolved at DeSantis' behest after Disney opposed Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill backed by the governor. Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle, in a statement, said "We are pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court in Florida between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Persons: Martin Garcia, Ron DeSantis, Disney, Jeff Vahle, Vahle, DeSantis Organizations: Florida Gov, Walt Disney, Disney, Gov, Central, DeSantis, Republican Locations: Florida, Lake Buena Vista , Florida, Orlando, Central Florida

☆ DeSantis taunts Disney, claims special district takeover saved Florida taxpayers millions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Taylor Craig | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Ron DeSantis is taking a victory lap amid his ongoing public feud with Disney and taunting the company's litigation efforts. A year ago, the Republican governor signed a bill to nullify Disney's special district. The former Reedy Creek Improvement District, established in 1967, gave the company full regulatory control over Disney World and government services such as fire protection, emergency services and infrastructure. "There were people pointing out and saying 'oh, people in Central Florida are gonna pay higher taxes, the sky's gonna fall,'" DeSantis said. DeSantis posted a video on X earlier Tuesday claiming that the dissolution of the special district saved Florida taxpayers millions.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, they've, DeSantis, CNBC's, Disney Organizations: Florida Gov, Disney, Republican, Improvement, Disney World Locations: Florida, Central Florida

☆ Ron DeSantis' campaign was over when he decided to have a popularity contest against Mickey Mouse
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Before entering the 2024 presidential race, Ron DeSantis proudly touted his conservative record. The governor's fights with Disney didn't endear him to GOP primary voters in the way he had hoped. For decades, tourists have come to the state from all over the world to visit Walt Disney World. But while many GOP voters had a positive opinion of DeSantis, it didn't translate into many votes, no matter what he had done while tussling with Disney. AdvertisementBut in the end, it was DeSantis' fight with Mickey Mouse that stunted his campaign, and he never recovered.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Disney didn't, —, Donald Trump, DeSantis, Carolyn Kaster, Blaine Harrington III, Getty, Terri Peters, Saint Anselm, Trump, Mickey Mouse Organizations: Disney, GOP, Service, AP, Walt Disney, Florida's, Improvement, Magic, Republican, Trump, state's Republicans, Saint, Saint Anselm College Locations: Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, American

☆ DeSantis board accuses Disney of controlling previous one with gifts
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

It found the board was "inverted to serve Disney," which held voting control of the prior board of supervisors. The Central Florida Oversight Board will meet Wednesday to vote whether to accept the report, which was prepared for the board by a group of experts. In what Disney described as retaliation, the Florida legislature in February replaced the old board with a new Central Florida Oversight District, whose five supervisors are handpicked by DeSantis. In April, Disney sued Florida in federal court, claiming DeSantis and his allies of "weaponizing" state government to punish Disney for exercising its free speech rights. The DeSantis-appointed oversight board counter-sued in state court, seeking to void the "backroom deals" favorable to the entertainment giant.

Persons: Octavio Jones, Ron DeSantis, Walt Disney's, Disney, DeSantis, flagrantly, John Classe, Dawn Chmielewski, Ken Li, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Walt Disney, REUTERS, Walt, Disney, DeSantis, Central, Central Florida Tourism, Florida Oversight, Reuters, American Express, Florida, Thomson Locations: Orlando , Florida, U.S, Florida, Reedy, Central Florida, New York

The request for documents and communications was made Thursday by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, now controlled by DeSantis appointees. The district wants all Disney communications about DeSantis, as well as communications dealing with laws passed by the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature that switched control of the district from Disney supporters to the governors’ appointees and nullified deals the company made with the Disney-controlled district before the state takeover. Before control of the district changed hands from Disney allies to DeSantis appointees, the Disney supporters on its board signed agreements with Disney shifting control over design and construction at Disney World to the company. The new DeSantis appointees claimed the “eleventh-hour deals” neutered their powers, and the district sued the company in state court to have the contracts voided. Political Cartoons View All 1253 ImagesDisney has filed counterclaims which include asking the state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable.

Persons: Ron DeSantis ’, “, ”, DeSantis, Mike Schneider Organizations: —, — Florida Gov, Disney, Walt Disney World, Central, Republican, Florida Legislature, The Central, Improvement Locations: ORLANDO, Fla, — Florida, Central Florida, Florida, The Central Florida, Tallahassee

☆ It's a small world with a big impact: Disney generated over $40 billion for Florida in fiscal year 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Disney experiences brought in $40.3 billion in economic activity in Florida in fiscal year 2022. Disney economic activity is keeping unemployment low and tax revenue high. That study looks at the total impact of Disney experiences in Florida, which includes the Walt Disney World Resort , Disney Vacation Club, and Disney Cruise Line. In essence, about one out of every 36 dollars spent in Florida directly or indirectly came from a Florida Disney experience. AdvertisementIn total, according to the report, Disney generated $6.6 billion in taxes in fiscal year 2022.

Persons: —, it's, Adam Sacks, Ron DeSantis Organizations: Disney, Oxford Economics, Service, Walt Disney World, Disney Vacation, Disney Cruise, Oxford, Oxford Economics's Tourism, Florida Disney, Central, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Walt Disney Locations: Florida, Oxford Economics's, Central Florida, California, Walt

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney on Tuesday released a study showing its economic impact in Florida at $40.3 billion as it battles Florida Gov. Disney accounted for 263,000 jobs in Florida, more than three times the actual workforce at Walt Disney World, according to the study conducted by Oxford Economics and commissioned by Disney, covering fiscal year 2022. The jobs include Disney employees as well as jobs supported by visitor spending off Disney World property. In central Florida, Disney directly accounts for 1 in 8 jobs, and for every direct job at Disney World, another 1.7 jobs are supported across Florida, Oxford Economics said. Before control of the district changed hands from Disney allies to DeSantis appointees, the Disney supporters on its board signed agreements with Disney shifting control over design and construction at Disney World to the company.

Persons: Disney, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, “, Mike Schneider Organizations: Florida Gov, Disney, Walt Disney, Oxford Economics, Sunshine State, Central, Florida Legislature Locations: ORLANDO, Fla, Florida, Disney, Oxford, DeSantis, Southern California, Orlando , Florida, Central Florida, Orlando, Tallahassee

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Morale and trust within the Walt Disney World government has deteriorated since allies of Florida Gov. With the departure of so many district employees in such a short period of time, the district is “no longer functional,” a facilities director who left last month wrote in her exit survey. Disney has sued DeSantis and the members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board in federal court in Tallahassee over the takeover, claiming its free speech rights were violated. Disney is also battling the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District in state court in Orlando. Before control of the district changed hands, the Disney supporters on its board signed agreements with Disney to shift control over design and construction at Disney World to the company.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, ”, “, there’s, DeSantis, hadn't, Matthew Oberly, Martin Garcia, ” Garcia, Glen Gilzean, Gilzean, Mike Schneider Organizations: —, Walt Disney, Florida Gov, Central, District, Associated Press, Republican, GOP, Florida Legislature, Disney, Improvement Locations: ORLANDO, Fla, Florida, Central Florida, “, Reedy, cronyism, Tallahassee, Orlando

Ron DeSantis' appointees is dragging its feet in providing requested documents to Disney in a lawsuit over who has design and construction powers over the company’s sprawling theme park resort in central Florida, Disney said in court papers. The new DeSantis appointees claimed the “eleventh-hour deals” neutered their powers, and the district sued the company in state court to have the contracts voided. Disney has filed counterclaims which include asking the state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable. Disney also is seeking from DeSantis’ office and several state agencies internal communications, including text messages and emails, and documents. DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District have asked a federal judge to throw out Disney’s First Amendment lawsuit, calling it meritless.

Persons: Walt, Ron DeSantis, Disney, ” Disney, DeSantis, Mike Schneider Organizations: Walt Disney, Florida Gov, Disney, Central, Improvement, “ Productions Locations: ORLANDO, Fla, Florida, Central Florida

☆ Disney accuses DeSantis-appointed district of withholding key lawsuit documents for nearly 2 months
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Walt Disney World is currently locked in a lawsuit with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly called the Reedy Creek Improvement District, was controlled by Disney allies for more than five decades until it was taken over by DeSantis appointees earlier this year. AdvertisementAdvertisementDisney has filed counterclaims which include asking the state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable. Disney also is seeking from DeSantis' office and several state agencies internal communications, including text messages, emails, and documents. DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District have asked a federal judge to throw out Disney's First Amendment lawsuit, calling it meritless.

Persons: Disney, Ron DeSantis, —, Walt, DeSantis Organizations: Walt Disney, Central, Service, Florida Gov, Disney, Improvement, Productions Locations: Central Florida, Florida, ORLANDO, Fla

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney attorneys want to question a previous administrator of the governing district that provides municipal services to Walt Disney World as part of its defense against a state lawsuit brought by a board made up of appointees of Florida Gov. The agreements were signed in February before the district takeover by the DeSantis appointees, who claim the contracts neutered their powers. The appointees are now suing Disney in state court in an attempt to void the deals. One of the arguments the DeSantis appointees make about why the agreements should be voided is that they weren't properly publicized. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesDisney has filed counterclaims in the state lawsuit which include asking the state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable.

Persons: —, Ron DeSantis, John Classe, DeSantis, Glen, Mike Schneider Organizations: — Disney, Walt Disney, Florida Gov, Central, DeSantis, Republican, Florida Legislature, Disney, Classe Locations: ORLANDO, Fla, Central Florida, Florida, Glen Gilzean, Classe

☆ A pastor invited to DeSantis' Disney board meeting quoted the Bible telling people not to 'resist authority' as it strips workers' park perks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A pastor invited to DeSantis' Central Florida Tourism Oversight District's meeting told attendees not to "resist authority." The pastor read from the Bible as the board discussed stripping park parks for Disney workers and retirees. Ron DeSantis to run the area around Disney World defended stripping park employees of their perks — moments after a pastor invited to speak urged attendees not to "resist authority." Last month, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board revoked all of the land's firefighters' free passes to the Disney parks and resorts. Disney responded with a lawsuit, and while DeSantis said he's since "moved on" from the fight, Disney is not backing down.

Persons: Firefighters —, Ron DeSantis, Pastor David Netzorg —, —, Netzorg, Pete Simon, DeSantis Organizations: Florida Tourism, Disney, Firefighters, Service, Gov, Emmaus Church, Disney World, Central, Miami Times, Disney firefighters, Improvement, Florida's GOP Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, Winter Garden , Florida, Central Florida, Florida's

☆ DeSantis board asks court to dismiss Disney's counterclaims in contract clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Ron DeSantis to oversee Walt Disney World's special tax district asked a state court to dismiss Disney 's bid to recover damages over a breach of contracts counterclaim. "All of Disney's counterclaims fail as a matter of law," attorneys for the district board wrote in a court filing Wednesday in circuit court in Orange County, Florida. That's mainly because Disney's contracts are "void as a matter of Florida law and therefore have never had any legal force or existence," the board wrote. Shortly thereafter, DeSantis, who signed the Republican-backed legislation, targeted the special district that had allowed Disney to effectively self-govern its Orlando-area theme parks for decades. The DeSantis-backed board members had voted to nullify Disney's contracts after accusing the company of trying to undermine the new board's authority and sneaking the deals through right before the change in leadership took place.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Disney's, Disney, DeSantis Organizations: Florida Gov, Walt Disney, Disney, Republican Locations: Orange County , Florida, Florida, Orlando, Reedy Creek, District, Central Florida

☆ Disney's firefighters backed DeSantis as he feuded with the company. Now his new board ignored their pleas and stripped away their park benefits.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | Brent D. Griffiths | John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Disney World's firefighters were once in support of DeSantis' plan to assume control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District. A number of firefighters confronted DeSantis' board last week at a meeting about this. But now firefighters are having second thoughts after the new oversight board moved to strip them of special Disney perks they've had for decades. Last week, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the rebranded Reedy Creek board, revoked all of the firefighters' free passes to the Disney parks and resorts. I'm totally fine with that," DeSantis told CNBC, encouraging Disney to drop the suit.

Persons: DeSantis, Ron DeSantis, Tim Stromsnes, they've, Pete Simon, Idalia Organizations: Disney, Service, Florida Gov, Improvement, Firefighters, Orlando Sentinel, Central, Miami Times Online, Times, Times Online, CNBC Locations: Reedy, Wall, Silicon, Central Florida

☆ Disney firefighters push back against DeSantis board appointees over decision to end free park passes
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Disney firefighters are upset over the loss of free park passes, a perk they had long cherished. one firefighter told the DeSantis-crafted board last week. Ron DeSantis created the board to take the place of the existing district. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe board's stance has put the firefighters in a frustrating dilemma, as they once welcomed DeSantis' takeover of the tax district. In lieu of the passes, Garcia indicated that the Central Florida district was poised to give employees a roughly $1,400 pay bump.

Persons: what's, DeSantis, Ron DeSantis, Pete Simon, Aaron Clark, Ricky Clark, Martin Garcia, Garcia Organizations: Disney, Service, Walt Disney, Improvement, Central, Republican Gov, Associated Press, DeSantis Locations: Wall, Silicon, Orlando, Central Florida, Reedy

☆ DeSantis chose wrong Disney battle, right war
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK, Aug 22 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis may have been politically foolish for picking a battle with Walt Disney (DIS.N), but economically speaking, he was on to something. Disney received special status in 1967 after it agreed to help drain the Florida swamp, literally, and build an entertainment park in exchange for special designation. DeSantis seized on the remarks, and with Florida lawmakers earlier this year, took control of the special board. Last week Disney filed a counterclaim to regain control. DeSantis chose the wrong battle but the right war.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Walt Disney, Disney, Bob Chapek, DeSantis, Donald Trump, didn’t, —, Timothy Bartik, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Sharon Lam, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: Reuters, Disney, Republican, New York Times, Comcast, Apple, Walt Disney, Florida, DeSantis, Thomson Locations: Florida, Siena, North Carolina, Virginia, State, . North Carolina, Reedy

☆ DeSantis’ appointees attack Disney over local employee perks and discounts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Allies of Ron DeSantis have fired another shot at the Walt Disney Company as the Florida governor’s long-standing rivalry with the media company heats up again. As part of DeSantis’ bill, RCID was renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, and the district’s pre-existing oversight board was replaced by five people hand-picked by DeSantis. Earlier this year, Disney sued DeSantis and the district oversight board in federal court, accusing DeSantis of weaponizing his political power to punish the company for exercising its right to free speech. In May, the oversight board voted to sue Disney in order to maintain its oversight of the district. Earlier this month, DeSantis urged Disney to drop its lawsuit in an interview with CNBC, saying “we’ve basically moved on.”

Persons: Ron DeSantis, DeSantis ’, DeSantis, RCID, Jeremy Redfern, ” Disney, Aubrey Jewett, It’s, ” Jewett, Jewett, “, ”, Disney, Disney’s, Bob Chapek, “ we’ve Organizations: CNN —, Walt Disney Company, Central, Walt Disney World, Disney, DeSantis, Twitter, University of Central, CNBC Locations: Florida, Central Florida, DeSantis, RCID, University of Central Florida, Reedy Creek

☆ Disney isn't going to let DeSantis walk away from their feud unscathed as the governor desperately tries to reboot his campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In a new court filing, Disney asks for damages and alleges Florida violated its contracts. It's the latest in a lawsuit in which the Florida board says Disney shouldn't have total power over its district. Disney said in the document that it "has fully complied with any and all of its obligations under the Contracts." The company alleged that the Florida board "repudiated its duty" to adhere to the contract. As the lawsuit between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District continues to proceed, DeSantis has been on the presidential campaign trail.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Disney, Bob Iger, DeSantis, Trump, who's Organizations: Disney, Gov, Service, Florida, CNN, DeSantis, District, Central, FiveThirtyEight Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, Reedy, Central Florida

☆ Disney goes on offense in DeSantis board's lawsuit, seeks damages for breach of contract
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Spokespeople for the board and Disney did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment. Disney's requests came in a 55-page filing denying the district board's allegations in its state-level lawsuit against the entertainment giant. The company seeks damages over the alleged breach, as well as a court order for the district to comply with development contracts that are at the heart of the legal fight between Disney and DeSantis. Disney has filed counterclaims, including a breach of contracts claim, against the board of supervisors picked by DeSantis to oversee Walt Disney World's special tax district, a Thursday court filing shows. Ron DeSantis may say he's " moved on " from his long-running feud with Disney , but the House of Mouse isn't easing up.

Persons: DeSantis, Spokespeople, Ron DeSantis, Walt, Donald Trump, Bob Iger, — Organizations: Disney, Walt Disney, Florida Gov, Improvement, Walt Disney World, Central, Republican, CNBC Locations: Central Florida, Florida, Orange County , Florida

☆ DeSantis-controlled Disney World district abolishes diversity, equity initiatives
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs were abolished Tuesday from Walt Disney World's governing district, now controlled by appointees of Gov. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said in a statement that its diversity, equity and inclusion committee would be eliminated, as would any job duties connected to it. Also axed were initiatives left over from when the district was controlled by Disney supporters, which awarded contracts based on goals of achieving racial or gender parity. The district was controlled by Disney supporters for more than five decades. Before the new board came in, Disney made agreements with previous oversight board members who were Disney supporters that stripped the new supervisors of their authority over design and development.

Persons: Walt, Ron DeSantis, Glenton Gilzean, Gilzean, DeSantis Organizations: Walt Disney, Gov, Central, Disney, Central Florida Urban League, James Madison Institute, American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network, Improvement, Republican Locations: Orlando , Florida, U.S, Florida, Central Florida, American, Orlando

☆ DeSantis board secures small win in feud against Disney after judge denies Florida park's request to throw out suit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A judge ruled Friday that a lawsuit against Disney in Florida would proceed. The case relates to a legal loophole used by Disney to take back control of its operations in Florida. The park argued that the case is "moot" in state court because of a DeSantis law that voided development agreements Disney signed up to three months before the appointed board was created, PBS reported. The ruling marks another legal punch in the year-long fight between DeSantis and Disney. As a result, the newly appointed DeSantis board was stripped of its power.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Walt Disney, DeSantis, Margaret Schreiber, Jeremy Redfern, Bob Chapek Organizations: Disney, Service, PBS, Central, Walt Disney World, Politico, Reedy Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, Central Florida

☆ Disney loses bid to dismiss or pause DeSantis board's state case
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A judge on Friday denied Disney 's bid to dismiss or pause a state court lawsuit related to its bitter feud with Florida Gov. Soon after, DeSantis and his allies in the state's GOP-led Legislature moved to dissolve Disney World's special district. The board voted in April to void those deals, and Disney sued in federal court, accusing DeSantis of orchestrating a "relentless campaign to weaponize government power." The CFTOD board countersued days later in state court. In May, Disney asked the court to dismiss that case, arguing in part that it was moot after DeSantis signed additional legislation that voided the company's development contracts.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Disney's, Disney, Margaret Schreiber, Donald Trump's Organizations: Disney, Florida Gov, GOP, Improvement, Central Locations: Orlando, Disney's Orlando, Florida, Central Florida

The ruling allows the oversight district to pursue its case that seeks to void "backroom deals" favorable to Disney that were struck with a prior district board earlier this year. A Disney spokesperson said the decision "has no bearing" on the federal lawsuit seeking to "vindicate Disney's constitutional rights." "We are fully confident Disney will prevail in both the federal and state cases," the spokesperson said in an email. The skirmish began last year after Disney criticized a Florida law banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. DeSantis rallied lawmakers to pass bills that reconstituted the district as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and transferred power over the board to the governor from Disney.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Disney, Lawmakers, Tom Hals, Jody Godoy, Deepa Babington, Jonathan Oatis, Richard Chang Organizations: Walt Disney Co, DeSantis, Disney, Republican, Central, Thomson Locations: WILMINGTON , Delaware, Florida, Central Florida, District, Wilmington , Delaware, New York

Disney wants Judge Margaret Schreiber in Orlando to dismiss a lawsuit filed in May by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which controls development around the company's theme parks. The lawsuit seeks to void "backroom deals" favorable to Disney that the district alleges were struck with a prior district board and in violation of state law. Lawmakers also retroactively invalidated agreements that Disney reached with the prior board on the eve of it being brought under DeSantis's control. Such a ruling would allow the company to focus on its federal case, which claims DeSantis violated the company's constitutional right to free speech. "If Disney's contracts are void, nearly all of Disney's claims in the federal case disappear," the district said in a court filing.

Persons: Octavio Jones, Ron DeSantis, Margaret Schreiber, DeSantis, Disney, Lawmakers, Tom Hals, Deepa Babington Organizations: Walt Disney, REUTERS, Walt, Co, Walt Disney Co, Disney, Central, Republican, Improvement, Thomson Locations: Orlando , Florida, U.S, WILMINGTON , Delaware, Florida, Orlando, Central Florida, Wilmington , Delaware

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