(Miami) Republicans in Florida on Monday stepped up their efforts to regain control of an area previously administered by Disney, the latest episode in a showdown between the entertainment giant and the governor of this conservative state. .
Those local legislators introduced a bill to rename the Disney World theme park district and ensure its future board of directors is chosen by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
These measures are in the wake of the recent withdrawal of the special status which was granted to Disney at the time of the construction of the Disney World leisure site in the 1960s. It offered it a large autonomy of local management and the exempt from most state regulations.
The text is debated this week in the House of Representatives of Florida with a Republican majority before being sent to the Senate of this State.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who could declare himself a candidate for the White House, had signed a law in April 2022, supposed to come into force in June 2023, removing this status.
PHOTO LYNNE SLADKY, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Relations between Mr. DeSantis and Disney soured when Bob Chapek, the ex-Chief Executive of Disney, spoke out publicly against a law promoted by the governor banning the teaching of subjects related to Florida in Florida. sexual orientation or gender identity in primary school.
Disney’s theme park near Orlando is among the most visited in the world and the Disney brand remains a favorite with Americans. Disney is also Florida’s largest employer.