A.G. Gancarski
While Florida’s Governor seems to be willing to drive The Walt Disney Co. out of the state, one former southern Governor would welcome its relocation.
On Fox News’ America Reports, Nikki Haley suggested the Palmetto State may be a place where Disney could do business if conditions continue to deteriorate between the company and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“If Disney would like to move their hundreds of thousands of jobs to South Carolina and bring their billions of dollars with them, I’ll let them know,” Haley said. “I’ll be happy to meet them in South Carolina and introduce them to the Governor and the Legislature. They would welcome it.”
The Disney/DeSantis beef is headed toward federal court, with the company seeking legal recourse for the state’s moves to invalidate its development deal struck in the final days of the Reedy Creek Improvement District that governed the park’s business from 1967 until this year.
“A targeted campaign of government retaliation — orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech — now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights. … In America, the government cannot punish you for speaking your mind,” Disney attorneys said in a 77-page federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court’s Northern Florida District.
This is the latest move in a saga between state Republicans and Disney that began when Disney objected to the state’s Parental Rights in Education legislation last year.
“Disney regrets that it has come to this. But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials,” Disney said in the lawsuit.
While this is moving in the courts, if Disney wants to get the moving vans ready, they could have a short drive up Interstate 95.
___
Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics contributed to this report.
9 comments
PeterH
April 26, 2023 at 2:29 pm
Go for it Nikki!
I’ve been following this saga for months! The election year timing of Disney’s lawsuit will help bury Rhonda’s DeSantis’s chances at ever sitting in the Oval Office.
Don’t Look Up
April 26, 2023 at 2:37 pm
Republicans can not be trusted to govern! Vote all Republicans out of office!
J
April 27, 2023 at 8:20 am
This country is in the toilet because of the Dems
David Pakman
April 26, 2023 at 2:59 pm
They should move to Atlanta.. not that fked state. Atlanta is blue and has an international airport. They would make the money back in no time.
Tom
April 26, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Can’t wait to hear Trump rip on Nikki Haley… his usual routine if she runs again him. Call her a dog faced b**ch and a *unt. Poke fun at her private parts etc.
Earl Pitts American
April 26, 2023 at 7:25 pm
Good evening Nikki,
Try to keep up girl, Ron and I, Earl Pitts American are just having manly sport with Disney. We will let you know if we need you to make a beer run Nikki.
Thank you Nikki,
Earl Pitts Americin
Matthew Lusk
April 27, 2023 at 3:29 pm
What’s obvious?… Haley doesn’t know her constituents, or doesn’t care. I doubt the majority in ANY State would want dizzyland in the yard.
It's Complicated
April 28, 2023 at 4:18 pm
It’s all kabuki theatre. Disney can’t move, because it doesn’t have the capital required to abandon Florida and move to any other state. Nor would it be prudent for them to leave behind something they have been developing and planning for the past 55-years. Disney stockholders want to make money, not lose their investments to stand for some political position. It would also cost far more now than it did then. When Disney bought up land in Central Florida in the 1960s, they did it secretively using shill buyers. No way they could pull that off, today, which would drive the price of land sky high, and would generate thousands of NIMBY lawsuits. No, what will end up happening is Disney will learn to keep their mouths shut on political and cultural matters and focus on theme parks.
tom palmer
April 30, 2023 at 9:16 am
Disney will survive the DeSantis regime.
Comments are closed.