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☆ DeSantis collects wins as Florida Legislature caps whirlwind session, teeing up possible White House bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a conference titled "Celebrate the Faces of Israel" at Jerusalem's Museum of Tolerance, on April 27, 2023. Measures like the restrictive abortion law DeSantis signed could help him in a GOP primary, but may reduce his appeal in a general election. Lawmakers have also passed multiple measures that could help clear DeSantis' path to the White House, if and when he decides to run. "The entire session was focused on Governor DeSantis' run for president," said Jim Clark, a University of Central Florida senior lecturer and political commentator, in an interview. On top of those issues, DeSantis in March waded into the "school choice" debate by signing a bill expanding Florida's school voucher system.

Disney says the contracts were crafted to help lock in its long-term development plans amid escalating tension with DeSantis and his allies. "This feud between DeSantis and Disney is insane," Linda Stewart, a Democrat who represents Florida's 13th Senate district, told CNBC. Disney sued DeSantis and the board members last week, alleging a campaign of political retaliation led by the governor. In addition to voiding the development deals, the Florida Legislature passed a measure that would have the state transportation department conduct inspections of Walt Disney World's monorails. Earlier this month, the state education board approved an expansion of the classroom bill that kicked off the feud with Disney.

☆ 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.

☆ DeSantis dismisses Disney lawsuit over loss of self-governance as 'political'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Summer Concepcion | Gabe Gutierrez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Ron DeSantis on Thursday brushed off a lawsuit by the Walt Disney Co. over the revocation of its Orlando-area theme park's self-governing privileges as politically motivated. The lawsuit escalates the feud between Disney and DeSantis that has led to his push to strip Walt Disney World's self-governing privileges. DeSantis argued that Disney's self-governing privileges go against being "pro-business." Lawyers for the Walt Disney Co. did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment. "The people of Florida, they understood that this was an issue," he said, referring to Walt Disney World's self-governing privileges.

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. "Disney now is forced to defend itself against a State weaponizing its power to inflict political punishment," the company said. DeSantis has argued that Disney, which employs roughly 75,000 people in Florida, had been enjoying unfair advantages for decades. Carlos Curbelo, a former U.S. Republican congressman from Miami, said DeSantis' attacks on Disney "made sense for a time." Florida's new oversight body on Wednesday said Disney's plans for potential expansion of Disney World did not comply with state law, and declared that agreement void.

Florida lawmakers passed legislation that ended Disney's virtual autonomy in central Florida where the Disney World theme parks are located and attract millions of visitors each year. In the action filed in federal court in Tallahassee, Disney said it had no choice but to take legal action. DeSantis has argued that Disney, which employs roughly 75,000 people in the Florida, had been operating with unfair advantages for decades. Carlos Curbelo, a former U.S. Republican congressman from Miami, said DeSantis' attacks on Disney "made sense for a time." Florida's new oversight board on Wednesday said Disney's plans for potential expansion of Disney World did not comply with state law, and declared that agreement void.

☆ DeSantis threatened to put a prison next to Disney, but it may not be as scary an idea as he thinks — and in fact small Florida towns could probably use it way more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But it's unclear how much, if at all, a prison would actually impact Disney. A prison could also bring jobs to small towns that don't have a local employer as large as Disney. Ron DeSantis's threat to put a state prison next to the "Happiest Place on Earth" may not be as menacing as he thinks. But it's unclear how much a state prison close to Disney would actually impact the resort and theme park. As for how a prison could impact Disney World, she speculated that the primary factor would be how it impacts the company's brand and tourists' perception of safety.

☆ Ron DeSantis' month from hell just got even worse thanks to Disney's legal team
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Already this month, DeSantis has seen more fellow Florida Republicans back Trump instead of him. April was supposed to be the crescendo for the Florida governor before his widely expected presidential announcement. Instead, DeSantis has been pummeled on all sides, including by many of his fellow Florida Republicans. "Floridians want him focused on Florida," Rep. Greg Steube, yet another Florida Republican who endorsed Trump, told Politico, "which is the job they elected him to do." Last month, DeSantis began to punch back at Trump in a feisty Piers Morgan interview where he stressed that he was a "winner."

☆ Disney's Bob Iger is going nuclear on Ron DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Disney's Bob Iger escalated the conflict between the company and Florida's Ron DeSantis on Wednesday. It's the latest move in a feud that began last year over Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill. Buckle up for a roller coaster ride, because the feud between Disney's CEO Bob Iger and Florida's Ron DeSantis just got bumpier. This is the latest — and most drastic — move in the clash between DeSantis and Iger, who inherited the battle with Disney from his predecessor Bob Chapek. Spokespeople for both Disney and DeSantis declined to give any additional comment.

☆ GOP lawmaker leading Florida legislature's effort to rein in Disney was a company stock-holder until the DeSantis feud
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

One key ally, Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, previously held Disney stock but said he sold on principle. Ron DeSantis claw back control of Walt Disney World's special tax district was once a Walt Disney Company investor, annual disclosures show. Ingoglia told Insider that he manages his stocks himself, and that they were long-term holds with a retirement or brokerage account. The financial ties to Disney underscore the company's largess and influence in Florida, where it's the state's biggest attraction. Disney CEO Bob Iger told Time he would be willing to sit down with DeSantis over the feud.

☆ Disney and DeSantis have been in a yearlong feud that began after the company spoke out against a controversial bill. Here's a timeline of the events.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Lloyd Lee | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

After a yearlong feud, Disney sued DeSantis on Wednesday, alleging that the Florida governor tried to "weaponize government power" over the company. The state Board of Education voted on Wednesday to expand that law to cover grades four to 12. Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, our state has seen record growth in jobs, GDP, and net domestic in-migration. It was the first time the board met since the revelation of the agreement between the prior district board members and Disney. On April 19, the state board approved a ban on classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity for all grades, including grades four through 12.

☆ Disney and DeSantis have been in a year-long feud that began after the company spoke out against a controversial bill. Here's a timeline of the events.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The feud began after the entertainment giant spoke out last March against a controversial piece of legislation critics have called the Don't Say Gay bill. The state Board of Education voted on Wednesday to expand that law to cover grades 4 to 12. The new district board also is considering more inspection regulations, building workforce affordable housing on land that borders the resort and theme park, and selling the district-owned utilities. It was the first time the board met since the revelation of the agreement between the prior district board members and Disney. On April 19, the state board approved a ban on classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity for all grades, including grades 4-12.

☆ DeSantis and allies ramp up Disney fight as more Republicans criticize his tactics
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

DeSantis ripped Disney repeatedly this week over its recent maneuvers to thwart the governor's efforts to seize some control of the company's Orlando parks and properties. Meanwhile, his handpicked board of supervisors overseeing Disney World's special tax district increased the pressure on Disney. The board took that step two days after DeSantis floated a range of possible actions against Disney World, including developing land nearby. That legislation, dubbed "Don't Say Gay" by critics, "should never have been signed" by DeSantis, Disney said in a March 2022 statement. The state's Republican governor and GOP-held legislature targeted the special tax district that has allowed Disney to essentially govern itself for decades.

☆ The Florida legislature swoops in to try to help DeSantis wrestle power back from Disney World
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The GOP-controlled legislature introduced an amendment to take away Disney's control over its land. Ron DeSantis seize back control of the board that oversees Walt Disney World's special tax district. The amendment aims to nullify Disney's actions from February, in which the mega-corporation stealthily rendered toothless a board DeSantis appointed to make decisions about its land. At that time, DeSantis said, the group would also work separately to void the Disney loophole that stripped them of their power. Unlike rival parks Universal Studios and Sea World, Disney doesn't have to run their plans by zoning commissions or building-inspection departments.

☆ Panic over the rise of AI is hitting a fever pitch
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Matt Turner | Dave Smith | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

On the agenda today:But first: The panic over the AI boom hit a new peak this week. A prominent AI researcher went further, saying six months wasn't long enough, and "we need to shut it all down." But those fears also make sense against the backdrop of a shaky economy and a distrust of Big Tech. Goldman Sachs has forecast that AI systems could impact 300 million full-time jobs. AI has been described as the next transformational technology, on a par with the creation of the internet or the television.

☆ The return of Bob Iger: Disney CEO makes moves that should please investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

When Iger returned as CEO of Disney back in November 2022 , he promised to implement cost reductions and clean up the House of Mouse. Disney ditches metaverse The news: CNBC confirmed on Tuesday that Disney is getting rid of a small division focused on deploying metaverse initiatives. Disney's metaverse layoffs are part of Iger's broader corporate restructuring plan. Under Iger, Disney bought Marvel from Perlmutter in 2009 in a $4 billion deal. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ Gavin Newsom heckles Ron DeSantis over latest Disney power struggle, on the Florida governor's home turf
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Gavin Newsom of California praised Walt Disney World for its "masterclass" of putting Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida "back in his place" after the company created a loophole to maintain control of its land. News broke this week that a law giving the Florida governor power to take over Disney World's governing board is likely toothless. Democratic governors frequently criticize DeSantis' policies in Florida, and DeSantis last month mocked people who do so yet "end up being spotted on the beach somewhere vacationing in Florida." As for a potential 2024 GOP nomination contest between the former president and DeSantis, Newsom predicted Trump would "clean his clock."

☆ Disney's Florida surprise: an end run around DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] People gather at the Magic Kingdom theme park before the "Festival of Fantasy" parade at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, U.S. July 30, 2022. Florida lawmakers passed a bill in February giving Governor Ron DeSantis effective control over a board that oversees municipal services and development in a special district that encompasses Walt Disney World resort. "It completely circumvents the authority of this board to govern," board member Brian Aungst Jr. was quoted as saying. Disney's then-chief executive officer, Bob Chapek, publicly voiced disappointment with the measure, saying he called DeSantis to express concern about it becoming law. In a move political observers viewed as retaliation for Disney's criticism of the Parental Rights in Education Act, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that ended Disney's virtual autonomy in developing 25,000 acres in central Florida where its theme parks are located.

☆ Ron DeSantis' plan to take control of Disney's land backfired spectacularly because of a loophole in the agreement that may reduce his appointees to powerless functionaries
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ron DeSantis gained control of Walt Disney World's oversight district board in February. Ron DeSantis' move to take over Walt Disney World's governing board in Florida may have backfired due to a prior obscure agreement that new governor-appointed board members argue stripped them of their power. Disney also had the authority to appoint district board members. But the new supervisors are now saying that previous board members entered an agreement that effectively stripped them of their powers. "All these board members very much would like to see the type of entertainment that all families can appreciate."

☆ Florida lawmakers are working at breakneck speed to pass DeSantis' agenda before a presidential run: 'Our colleagues are tripping over themselves'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

DeSantis is quickly signing bills into law in Florida this legislative session, which ends May 5. After the legislation session, DeSantis is expected to mount a presidential run, challenging Trump. Ron DeSantis that will give him a list of accomplishments to brag about during a widely anticipated 2024 presidential run. Lawmakers began meeting for their 60-day session just three weeks ago, and already the governor has signed bills into law amid much fanfare at public events. Last week DeSantis signed a bill to curb lawsuits in the state.

☆ DeSantis' hand-picked Walt Disney World oversight board meets for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Octavio JonesMarch 8 (Reuters) - A new board controlling Walt Disney World's special taxing district in Florida will meet for the first time on Wednesday, as Governor Ron DeSantis' hand-picked group gets ready to end the entertainment giant's "corporate kingdom." Nothing in the language of the legislation creating the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District gives the board of supervisors authority to direct Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N) content. "The District board members are now in place and will be examining all of the needed actions to get back on track," Bryan Griffin, a spokesman for the governor, said on Tuesday. Legislators in Florida passed a bill in February giving DeSantis effective control over a board that oversees municipal services and development in a special district that encompasses Walt Disney World resort. “Shameful to see Disney continue to use children as pawns to advance their WOKE political agenda,” Ziegler tweeted.

☆ Mike Lindell called Ron DeSantis a 'Trojan Horse' for the left in a rant at CPAC
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mike Lindell tore into Gov. Ron DeSantis at CPAC, calling him a "Trojan Horse" for the left. Ron DeSantis at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, on Tuesday. "Now I'll tell you what Ron DeSantis is, and he's got money behind him, did he do anything for Disney? "He is a Trojan Horse, he is the Trojan Horse," Lindell shouted.

☆ DeSantis strips Disney World of its self-governing power in Florida: 'There's a new sheriff in town'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

DeSantis has officially stripped Disney World of its self-governing status. DeSantis appointed political allies to the board, which have to be approved by the Florida Senate. Ron DeSantis abolished Walt Disney World's special authority on Monday, nearly 11 months after the company spoke out publicly against his controversial education agenda. Under the new law, board members cannot be employees, owners, or operators at Disney World. DeSantis said several times during the press conference that Disney World now had to follow the same rules as other Florida theme parks.

☆ Billionaire Ken Griffin wants to relocate a historic Miami home he purchased for $107 million. Preservationists say it could set a dangerous precedent.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The billionaire Ken Griffin bought a historic Miami property for about $107 million in September. A Citadel representative, Zia Ahmed, told the Journal that if Griffin were to move the house, "the utmost care and every precaution" would be taken. To Varas, the idea of moving the property to another piece of land was tantamount to "redacting history." Coconut Grove, the neighborhood in Miami where Griffin purchased a $107 million estate. Preservationists told the Journal that the home was a testament to the grand-estate days of Miami's early history when Coconut Grove experienced an economic boom.

☆ Billionaire Ken Griffin is raising alarm over his desire to move a 100-year-old home off his $107 million Miami estate
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The billionaire Ken Griffin bought a historic Miami property for about $107 million in September. If the HEPB rejects the plan, Griffin could appeal to the Miami City Commission. A Citadel representative, Zia Ahmed, told the Journal that if Griffin were to move the house, "the utmost care and every precaution" would be taken. To Varas, the idea of moving the property to another piece of land was tantamount to "redacting history." Coconut Grove, the neighborhood in Miami where Griffin purchased a $107 million estate.

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