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☆ 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

Ron DeSantis appointed a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a “parental rights” group that has sought to take over school boards in multiple states, to the Florida Commission on Ethics on Wednesday. Tina Descovich was named to the nine-member, Tallahassee-based commission, which investigates alleged breaches of public trust by elected and appointed officials, as well as state employees. Moms for Liberty started with Descovich and two other Florida women fighting COVID-19 restrictions in 2021. Along with Descovich, DeSantis also appointed South Florida attorney Luis Fuste to the commission. Another vacancy on the ethics commission was created in June, when former member Jim Waldman's term ended.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Tina Descovich, Descovich, ”, DeSantis, Luis Fuste, Glen Gilzean, Gilzean, Jim Waldman's Organizations: — Republican Gov, Liberty, School Board, Florida Coalition of School, Heritage Foundation, Republican, Southern Poverty Law Center, South, Florida Senate, Central, Walt Disney, Disney Locations: TALLAHASSEE, Fla, Florida, Tallahassee, Brevard County, Tampa, Philadelphia, South Florida, 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’ 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 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

☆ 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 District, Now Under DeSantis’s Control, Ends Its D.E.I. Programs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Anna Betts | More About Anna Betts | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Fentrice Driskell, the Democratic leader in the Florida House of Representatives, said she was not surprised that the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District had followed suit. The State Legislature instead stripped the company of its power to appoint the five members of the district’s oversight board and gave it to Mr. DeSantis. In April, the newly appointed board voted to nullify two agreements that gave Disney control over expansion of the resort. What’s NextThe feud between Disney and Mr. DeSantis appears set to continue, with the two lawsuits still winding their way through the courts. Mr. DeSantis, who is running for the Republican nomination for president, has highlighted both his “anti-woke” and “anti-corporate” agenda on the campaign trail.

Persons: DeSantis, Glenton Gilzean, DeSantis’s, Fentrice Driskell, “, ”, Bob Chapek, nonbinary, Disney, Donald J, Trump Organizations: Central, Disney, “, Democratic, Legislature, Florida Department of Economic, Republican Locations: Central Florida, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, Orange, Osceola, Orlando

☆ 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

Wait times for rides and attractions at both resorts have shortened, according to analysts who track theme park attendance. Disney CEO Bob Iger attributed Disney World’s recent decline in wait times to an overall slump in Central Florida tourism. Iger told CNBC he did not have “long-term concerns” about Disney’s theme parks. For Universal’s Florida parks, every month since March has seen lower average wait times, according to the site. Pareti said she spends between four and six days per week at Disney’s parks and visits Universal parks, as well.

Persons: Los Angeles CNN —, Walt, Universal Orlando parkgoers, Bob Iger, ”, Iger, Shorter, July’s, Don Munsil, he’s, Munsil, “, Kayla Pareti, Mickey Travels, Mickey, You’re, Pareti, she’s, “ Don’t, it’s, Comcast’s, Disney’s, That’s, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Pete Werner, Christine McCarthy, ” Werner, It’s, Disney Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Central, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Disney, CNBC, CNN, Universal, Disney’s, Universal Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Company, Comcast, UBS, DIS Universal, Republican, NAACP, Human Rights, League of United Latin American, Walt Disney, Disney Cruise Locations: Florida, Central Florida, “ Florida, Disney’s Florida, Universal Studios Florida, Bay Lake , Florida, Orange County, Orlando

☆ DeSantis asks Trump-appointed judge to dismiss Disney's lawsuit against him, claiming immunity
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

DeSantis asked a federal judge to dismiss Disney's lawsuit against him, claiming he has immunity. The lawyers for the Florida governor also said Disney had no business filing in federal court. Ron DeSantis of Florida filed a motion in federal court Monday evening asking a judge to dismiss Walt Disney World's lawsuit against him. Disney's lawsuit accuses DeSantis and his office of engaging in "a targeted campaign of government retaliation" against Disney that was "orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney's protected speech." Attorneys for the governor said in the 27-page motion that the federal district Disney filed the lawsuit in lacks jurisdiction.

Persons: DeSantis, Trump, —, Ron DeSantis, Walt, Allen Winsor —, Donald Trump —, Governor DeSantis, Mark Walker, Barack Obama, Disney, Winsor, Pam Bondi, Meredith Ivey Organizations: Disney, Service, Gov, Walt Disney, Court, Northern District of, British, Florida's Department of Economic, Central Locations: Florida, Northern District, Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee, Central Florida

A spokesman for Disney did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the court filing. The 27-page motion to dismiss was filed by attorneys for DeSantis and Meredith Ivey, named as secretary for Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity. "Disney lacks standing to sue the Governor and Secretary, who are also immune from suit," they argued in a filing in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee. After Disney criticized the Republican-backed classroom bill, DeSantis and his allies moved to dissolve that special tax district. Days later, the DeSantis-appointed board countersued in state court.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, —, Donald Trump, Meredith Ivey, DeSantis, Ivey, Disney's, Disney Organizations: Florida Gov, Disney, Republican, GOP, DeSantis, Florida's Department of Economic, Florida's Walt Disney, Improvement, Central, State, Governor Locations: DeSantis, Tallahassee, Florida's, Central Florida

☆ Disney scraps plans for new Florida campus, mass employee relocation amid DeSantis feud
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Disney has abandoned plans to open up a new employee campus in Lake Nona, Florida, amid rising tensions with the state's governor. "This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one," D'Amaro told employees. Many Disney employees balked at the company's relocation plans when they were first announced in July 2021 by former CEO Bob Chapek. Disney's announcement comes amid a bitter feud between the company and Florida Gov. The special district has allowed the entertainment giant to effectively self-govern its Orlando parks' operations for decades.

☆ Disney's governing board picked a DeSantis ally as new administrator. He'll make a $400,000 salary to oversee the governor's agenda for the district
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Disney's special tax district has a new administrator who will make a $400,000 salary. Ron DeSantis ally to run the day-to-day operations of the resort's special tax district. It is equal to what US presidents get paid, but less than what administrators of other special tax districts in Florida make. Disney's special tax district status exempts it from running its plans by zoning commissions or building-inspection departments. The five board members DeSantis appointed in March to oversee Disney's special tax district are unpaid.

HOW THE LAWSUITS DIFFERDisney's lawsuit was filed in federal court and alleges that DeSantis violated the company's protections under the U.S. Constitution, including its First Amendment right to free speech. In contrast, the state court lawsuit against Disney focuses on the procedures the old board followed in approving the agreements with Disney. The Florida district is asking the state court to void the Disney agreements. The district could file a motion in federal court to ask Walker to dismiss or pause Disney's federal case while the state court proceeds. Legal doctrines hold that federal judges should refrain from hearing a case where there is a related state court proceeding, particularly when a state court decision could resolve the federal lawsuit.

☆ Florida legislature approves bill allowing board to cancel Disney deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Under the bill, which now goes to DeSantis for signing into law, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, appointed by DeSantis to oversee development in and around Disney's theme parks, can cancel agreements that were signed up to three months before the board's creation. It replaced the Reedy Creek Improvement District as the body overseeing the 25,000 acres surrounding the Walt Disney World resort. Disney, the largest employer in central Florida, and DeSantis, a Republican, have been feuding since last year, when Disney criticized a state measure banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. DeSantis, who is expected to soon declare his candidacy for U.S. president, has repeatedly attacked "woke Disney" in public remarks. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board responded with its own lawsuit in a state court this week, saying it sought to void "backroom deals" favorable to Disney.

Under the bill, which passed the Republican-controlled legislature largely along party lines, the Central Tourism Oversight District Board - whose members are appointed by DeSantis - can cancel any deals signed up to three months before the board's creation. Disney, the largest employer in central Florida, and the Republican governor have been battling since last year, when Disney criticized a new state law banning classroom instruction of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. Before DeSantis' appointees took over the board, the company pushed through changes to the special tax district agreement that limited the new body's action for decades. The new oversight body in April said Disney's plans for potential expansion of Disney World did not comply with state law, and declared that agreement void. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board responded with its own lawsuit in a state court, saying it sought to void "backroom deals" favorable to Disney.

☆ Florida board picked by DeSantis to countersue Disney
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) -An oversight board appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday said it would file a countersuit against Walt Disney Co in state court, according to prepared remarks seen by Reuters. Slideshow ( 2 images )The decision, which further escalates tensions between Disney and the state of Florida, comes in response to a lawsuit Disney filed last week in federal district court against DeSantis and members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight district board. The skirmish began last year after Disney criticized a Florida measure banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. Florida lawmakers passed legislation that ended Disney’s virtual autonomy in central Florida where the Disney World theme parks attract millions of visitors each year. “The district will seek justice in state court here in central Florida where both it and Disney reside and do business,” Martin said.

☆ Florida board picked by DeSantis countersues Disney
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | Tom Hals | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

(Reuters) - A district board appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to oversee development around Walt Disney Co’s Florida theme parks sued the company on Monday to void “backroom deals” favorable to the entertainment giant. The state court lawsuit escalates tensions between Disney and the Republican governor and likely presidential candidate. It comes in response to a case Disney filed last week in federal district court against DeSantis and members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight district board. DeSantis who is expected to soon declare his candidacy for U.S. president, has repeatedly attacked “woke Disney” in public remarks. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board maintained that Disney rushed through the agreement before the new board assumed oversight of municipal services and development within the 25,000 acres of land in and around Walt Disney World.

☆ DeSantis Disney oversight board votes to sue company over tax-district fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Ron DeSantis to oversee Walt Disney World's operations voted Monday to sue Disney in response to the company's recent federal lawsuit alleging a campaign of political retaliation by the governor. The panel, which challenged the company's long-standing self-governing status when it replaced a Disney-backed board weeks earlier, unanimously voted to authorize a lawsuit in state court. Disney sued DeSantis last Wednesday and the oversight panel in U.S. district court in Tallahassee, Florida. DeSantis, who is expected to announce his presidential plans after the Florida state legislature ends in early May, is considered a top contender against former President Donald Trump. But the extended row against Disney, one of Florida's top employers, has recently begun to generate criticism from some of DeSantis' fellow Republicans.

☆ In emergency meeting, DeSantis-appointed board votes to counter-sue Disney
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The DeSantis-appointed board that oversees Disney's district has sued the company. The move comes after Disney filed a lawsuit in federal court in Tallahassee. The board lawsuit will be filed in Central Florida, where Disney World is. Under a decadeslong arrangement with the state, Disney doesn't have to run its plans by zoning commissions or building-inspection departments. Last week, DeSantis' newly appointed board said "nothing is off the table" as it took on a major overhaul of the area.

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