Governor DeSantis Hints at Action Against Disney After Attempts to Take Control of Special Powers Fail

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has hinted at future action against Disney after the entertainment giant appeared to thwart his attempts to take control of its special governing powers.

The comments come a day after DeSantis allies on the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board – the body that oversees the land in and around Disney’s Orlando-area theme parks – unveiled that the company had quietly reached an agreement with the outgoing board that turned over most of its governing powers to Disney.

The new board hired outside legal counsel to review the agreements and restrictive covenants, which were approved on the last meeting of the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

DeSantis had previously attempted to punish Disney’s position on gay rights in the state by abolishing the special government jurisdiction which essentially allowed Disney to run Disney World as its own town or governmental district.

The Republican governor told a crowd in Smyrna, Georgia, “There’s a lot of little back-and-forths going on now with the state taking control, but rest assured, you know, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board members, who were appointed by DeSantis, have expressed their frustration with Disney’s move, saying it essentially cut them out of any effective power for decades into the future.

It remains to be seen what action DeSantis will take against Disney, but the Governor has made it clear that he is not backing down from the fight.