Members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, have asked a state judge to rule in their favor without a trial in their lawsuit against Disney. The lawsuit is one of two legal battles between the governor and the entertainment giant over the governance of Walt Disney World.
The district oversees municipal services for the theme parks and hotels in the area. DeSantis took over the district last year through legislation after Disney publicly opposed a state law that banned classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy known as “Don’t Say Gay”.
The governor’s appointees claim that Disney wrongfully limited their authority by making agreements with previous board members that gave the company control over design and construction at Disney World. They argue that those agreements were made without proper notice, exceeded the board’s authority and unlawfully delegated government power to a private entity.
Disney has challenged the governor’s takeover of the district in federal court, alleging that it violated the company’s free speech rights. DeSantis has used his feud with Disney as a campaign theme for his 2024 presidential bid, accusing the company of being too “woke”.
In an interview with CNBC on Monday, DeSantis urged Disney to drop its lawsuit, saying that he and his allies have moved on from the conflict. “They’re suing the state of Florida. They’re going to lose that lawsuit,” he said.
Sources: AP News, MSN, The Washington Post
