Guest Author
To achieve innovation and creativity in America today, visionaries must be empowered with the freedom they need to solve problems and create solutions to the common challenges we face as Americans.
This freedom is what led Walt Disney to build the Walt Disney World Resort at the heart of Florida, for he was granted the right to build a grand enterprise that promised to transform Florida’s economy and strengthen its place on the world stage.
After more than 50 years of operation, millions have visited Disney World from nearly every nation, and Florida’s place as a destination for families has been solidified with a record number of visitors coming to see Mickey Mouse every year.
Just last year Florida welcomed more than 122 million visitors to the state, a feat made possible through the economic policies of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the open nature of Florida’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disney World being open and operational also helped attract visitors to the state, and allowed for Florida’s economy, particularly in Central Florida, to quickly recover and regain a strong footing after a tumultuous 2020.
It’s why Florida and Disney have long shared a good relationship with one another, for the success of one leads to the success of the other, and vice versa.
This success was made possible through agreements that understood the power of freedom and the benefits of limited government interference on businesses as creative and imaginative as The Walt Disney Co.
That is why Walt Disney himself negotiated for a special government district to be established for the land he owned in Central Florida, for he knew his grand vision would only be made possible if granted the assurances freedom needs to flourish.
That vision demanded grand scale and ambition and couldn’t be hindered by government intervention or onerous regulations.
It’s why the state agreed to establish the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a special taxing and governing jurisdiction that granted Disney the right to powers and responsibilities traditionally reserved to government municipalities.
In the more than five decades since its inception, the district has been successful in achieving its intended purpose, which is to provide Disney with the favorable conditions it needs to develop and invest and expand its Florida resort.
That continued development, and the investments that make it possible, help strengthen Florida’s hand in the global economy and provides thousands of jobs to hardworking Floridians in Central Florida, and throughout the state.
As Florida competes with the likes of California and New York for business investments, it would be smart to address legitimate concerns the state has with The Walt Disney Co. through amicable and productive means.
There is no need to abolish a special district that has done nothing but provide favorable conditions for economic activity and continued job growth due to disagreement on political issues in Tallahassee.
The benefits of the special district and its continued role in supporting Florida’s largest private employer outweigh the disagreements present leadership in Disney and Tallahassee may have on contentious cultural issues that embroil great controversy regardless of what side they may be on.
It’s time for both sides to sit down, talk it out and make amends, for the state’s economic conditions and the competitiveness of our critical sectors greatly depend on the relationship Disney and Florida have with one another.
That relationship used to exemplify the promise of cooperation between business and government, and the progress that could be achieved when private business and government work together to deliver for the citizens of our country.
It’s time we focus on delivering for citizens once again and putting what truly matters first.
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David Acosta is a master’s candidate in International Relations at Harvard and Climate Action Advocate.
14 comments
Raheim Sherbedgia
April 20, 2022 at 5:25 pm
You’re exactly right David. There’s no need to roll out the fascism because someone doesn’t like your policies. Publicly disagreeing with the government without fear of retaliation is at the center of our Democracy.
Disney should not have to live in fear of their First Amendment rights. If they want to have a DeSantis Deflagration Day where everybody who brings a Ron DeSantis doll gets a free ticket for next time they should be able to do so without Tallahassee coming down on them.
Governor DeSantis is in the wrong here. His politics of punching down has no place in this nation. He can take a taxpayer funded flight over to Cuba if he wants to live in an autocracy.
Ultimately, this is a wounded pride campaign and DeSantis needs to stop. If Mickey Mouse puts his inner autocrat into overdrive how can he possibly expect to be taken seriously by serious people?
Jim Jezowski
April 21, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Funny, you don’t think corporations should have a voice in politics, unless you want them to have a voice in politics.. I guess its ok when they agree with you, and not when they don’t?
Raheim
April 21, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Thanks for commenting without reading.
Beth
April 20, 2022 at 6:06 pm
I’m afraid it is too late for that. DeSantis has devolved so dramatically our only hope is to see him permanently removed from office. The guy is seriously mentally ill, there is no telling what he might do next. All while the Republicans in the FL legislature do his bidding without question. The combination of this insanity and the wack jobs at the federal level clearly indicate that the Republican Party no longer believes in our constitution nor do they support our Democracy. Our only hope is to get each and every one of them of our government.
Robin
April 20, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Disney should provide entertainment as originally planned. Building resort communities to support the guests is appropriate. What is NOT appropriate is trying to influence the beliefs and values of their guests, communities around Disney and overall the population in general. Disney needs to stay in their lane and NOT push any agenda! Governor DeSantis and FL legislative body is absolutely right to withdraw their non conforming agreement since Disney decided to move into the political arena. Disney should be held to the same standards as any other business.
Ocean Joe
April 20, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Our conservative ‘controlled’ Supreme Court expanded the rights of corporations in the corrupting Citizens United case, allowing giant corporate political donations, our government is more bought than ever before. And that’s what you wanted. That’s what right wing control of the supreme court has cemented.
So you got it. “Corporations are people” as nutty as that sounds, that’s the twist of the law to allow their money into our politics.
Since you wanted it, you wanted folks like Scalia, you need to live with it. Disney gets to participate. If you dont like it, avoid Disney, like that long list of companies the “patriots” are always posting on this site.
I think rather than Disney staying out of the discussion, our governor should stick to his job instead of running a culture war to boost his presidential campaign.
Antonio
April 21, 2022 at 4:38 pm
This seems like a great opportunity for Democrats, as it seems like Rebulicans are not interested in all that lobbying money from the biggest employer in Florida anymore. The so-called party of small government is currently passing tons of laws that are undemocratic, anti-women, and ban the human condition. Are they for business any more? If I had a business, I would take note of the targeted retaliation from the GOP and invest my money elsewhere.
Raheim
April 20, 2022 at 10:00 pm
That’s not how it works Robin. In a democracy it’s not just acceptable, it’s desirable, to have companies, organizations and individuals disagree with the government without penalty.
In a fascist autocracy the leaders punish those who don’t agree with and support them.
Sel
April 24, 2022 at 9:36 am
Oh! Right! There ZERO corporations pushing agendas out there.
Seriously?
Chad
April 24, 2022 at 12:20 pm
I’m sure this is your position and passion for say, Chick-Fil-A and their positions on social issues too? They should shut up and make chicken sandwiches on Sunday too? Do me a favor and Google “Selective Outrage” and maybe sit down and can it.
Amy Pals
April 21, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Too late, folks. The tax bill is in the mail. The majority of voters put this man into office and gave him the power to do as he wants. In this case, carry out a retaliation on Disney for deciding to welcome everyone regardless of creed, color, kin, orientation, or religion! Now, we (everyone in Florida) will be paying the tax bill for the services provided by Disney/Reedy Creek for the residents of two counties affected. Watch your mailbox for that tax increase!
Charles Jackson
April 21, 2022 at 4:41 pm
You are so wrong. Disney should not give in to Florida’s Nazis. There is nothing to discuss.
Chad
April 21, 2022 at 6:56 pm
I lived in Florida for 19 years, and it is laughable to think that this is good for anyone in Florida. This is whole law was an invention of the right to push this agenda to give DeSantis a path to running for president. The only people who don’t know this are the duped rubes that keep their eyes glued to Fox News, Newsmax and OAN. The people of Florida will pay, and Ronnie will be a millionaire no matter who suffers from his stupid policies.
David
April 22, 2022 at 9:00 am
You argue that both DeSantis and Disney should “make amends.” For what, precisely, should Disney “make amends? Only one of these has overstepped, so bothsidesism is baseless here.
Comments are closed.