And here I thought Republicans were the party of low taxes.ĭemocratic state Rep. But now that these rights are about to be rescinded, that debt will likely be passed onto the residents of the adjoining counties. It also ensures that Disney can build and expand on their land without state approvals and bureaucratic red tape.ĭisney pays handsomely for these privileges, to the tune of over $1 billion dollars in taxes to the state. This means that Disney World functions as its own government, with its own infrastructure that includes a fire department, a sheriff’s office, waste management, etc. The privileges are part of the 1967 “ Reedy Creek Improvement District” which allows Disney to operate as an independent government around its Orlando-area theme parks. DeSantis’s attack on Disney, his state’s largest private employer, has sped through a special legislative session, with the republican majorities in both the state House and the Senate voting to to end Walt Disney World’s special district privileges. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is waging a war against Disney that could cost Floridians over $1 billion in municipal debt.