by Joseph Weber
Florida lawmakers are reportedly working to reverse a law that stripped Disney of its special tax status in the state after its then-CEO criticized a state law on gender classes in public schools.
The possible change, first reported by the Financial Times, follows Disney replacing CEO Bob Chapek who was in a feud with GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The bill that was signed into law in April ends a decades-long arrangement under which Disney essentially formed its own government for the area around its Orlando theme parks and taxed itself to fund utilities and services like firefighting, according to The New York Times.
The law does not take effect until next year.
The feud started, or at least ignited, when Chapek, who was recently replaced by former CEO Bob Iger, publicly opposed a state law that barred teaching young public school children about sexual orientation and gender identity, according to The Times also reports.
The Parental Rights in Education law was signed into law in March by DeSantis and is often referred to by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
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Joseph Weber comes to JusttheNews after covering national politics for Fox News since 2011.
Photo “Ron DeSantis” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “Disney World” by Kaleeb18. CC BY-SA 4.0.
