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The local governing board handpicked by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida to oversee the operations of Walt Disney World’s special taxing district voted Monday to sue the company — the latest escalation of hostilities between Walt Disney Co. and DeSantis.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board voted 5-0 to sue Disney
DIS,
in state court less than a week after Disney sued DeSantis in federal court over an alleged campaign of political retaliation by the governor.
“This district will seek justice in state court here in central Florida where both it and Disney reside and do business,” the board’s chair, Martin Garcia, said at a meeting Monday morning. “Yes, we’ll see justice in our own backyard.”
A Disney spokesperson declined to comment.
The feud between Disney, which is Florida’s largest employer, and DeSantis, a presumptive 2024 presidential candidate, was sparked more than a year ago when, in March 2022, then-Disney Chief Executive Bob Chapek issued a statement that opposed DeSantis-backed state legislation that bans the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms through the third grade. Opponents have branded the legislation the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Disney’s opposition prompted DeSantis to convince the Republican-controlled Florida legislature to pass a bill empowering the governor to appoint a new board.
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