He said the legislature would address the legality and all potential tax consequences of the state’s recent move to lift Disney’s self-governing status. DeSantis spoke during an Orlando town hall hosted by Laura Ingraham on Fox News.
“There will be further legislative action,” DeSantis said. “It simply came to our notice then. We know what we’re going to do, so stay tuned. Everything will be obvious.
Last week, DeSantis signed a bill to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement Area, effective June 1, 2023. The law stemmed from Disney’s criticism of the so-called U.S. Don’t Say Gay Act, which restricts discussion of sexuality and gender in public schools .
Disney has not made any direct public statements about Reedy Creek’s new dissolution law. The law is only two pages long and avoids any discussion of details on how to develop half a century of infrastructure deals, nor does it set out the next steps in the complex process.
Reedy Creek said dissolving the area was illegal unless the state paid off $ 1 billion in Reedy Creek’s debt.
And some officials and residents of neighboring Orange and Oceola counties fear they will face an annual tax bill of $ 163 million if Reedy Creek leaves.
“Disney pays the same taxes as everyone else in Orange County, plus taxes on Reedy Creek’s property for services around Disney’s property, such as emergency services and road work,” Orange County tax collector Scott Randolph told CNN.
“One side of the book will say zero and the other side will say negative $ 163 million” against Orange County if Reedy Creek is removed, Randolph said.
Ingram asked DeSantis if “this.” [could] Ultimately have the opposite effect on the people of Florida? “
DeSantis said, “Disney will pay its debts. For the first time, Disney will actually live by the same laws as everyone else in Florida. Imagine that.”
During City Hall, Ingram asked if “the characterization of Reedy Creek’s statutes is inaccurate.”
DeSantis said the legislature has time to follow up on the new law before Reedy Creek is dissolved.
Earlier on Thursday, his spokesman said it would be “several weeks” before a plan was announced to ensure taxpayers would not suffer from changes to Disney’s status.
“If it is true that the abolition of the special area will give Disney tax relief and local taxpayers will be on the hook for this rescue aid in favor of Disney … then why would Disney oppose the abolition of their special area?” DeSantis Christina Pushhaw tweeted on Thursday.
She said the plan would ensure that Disney, the state’s largest private employer, pays its fair share of taxes.
Reedy Creek is a special purpose area created by state law in May 1967, which provides The Walt Disney Co. extensive government control of land in and around its central theme parks in Florida.
In his tweet, Pushaw said Florida residents, including Orange and Oceola counties, will not be on the Disney tax hook and the abolition of the special area will not lead to tax increases for residents of any area of Florida. .
In a letter to bondholders, Reedy Creek said the 1967 law also included a promise from the state stating that Florida “will not in any way violate the rights or remedies of bondholders …” while all such bonds together with interest thereon, as well as all costs and expenses in connection with any action or procedure by or on behalf of these holders, shall be wholly assumed and released. “
DeSantis said Florida residents would not see a tax increase due to the Reedy Creek dissolution law and urged Disney to pay its “fair share” of the taxes. He positioned the law as “the first step in what will be a process to ensure that Disney does not have to run its own government.”
CNN’s Jamiel Lynch and Leila Santiago contributed to this report.
Add Comment