Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called on the state legislature Tuesday to repeal a law that allows Walt Disney World to operate as a government on its properties in the state.
DeSantis, a possible Republican candidate for the 2024 US presidential election, has clashed with Disney because the company opposes a new law in Florida that prohibits teaching sexual orientation and gender identity to children from kindergarten to third grade of elementary school.
On Tuesday, DeSantis upped his pressure.
As lawmakers returned to Tallahassee for a special session on districting, the governor announced he had issued a proclamation allowing the Republican-majority Assembly to consider bills that would eliminate the Disney charter district.
“They will consider the legislative map, but they will also consider the end of all special districts that were enacted in Florida before 1968, that includes the district Reedy Creek ImprovementDeSantis said at a news conference, referring to the company’s governing district but not mentioning Disney.
The district Reedy Creek Improvement is a private government controlled by Disney World and established by the State Assembly in 1967, which allows it to offer government services such as zoning, fire protection, public services and infrastructure.
The initiative comes after Disney announced it would suspend political donations to the state for the new Education Parental Rights Act, which opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay Act,” amid criticism that it would ban lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity. in the early school years will marginalize the LGBT community.
Disney is one of the largest private employers in Florida.
Disney representatives had not yet commented on DeSantis’ announcement.
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