The Walt Disney Company filed a counterclaim last week against the board appointed by Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis to take control of Walt Disney World’s special tax district, per court filings.
This is the latest slog in a yearslong feud between Disney and DeSantis, which ignited after the company publicly opposed his controversial dubbed “Dont Say Gay” law.
Disney filed the counterclaims against a lawsuit filed in May by the Desantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, which was itself a countersuit. It alleges a breach of contract, and violation of Florida’s free speech clause, and seeks various damages.
DeSantis rather famously revoked the company’s 25,000-acre special tax zone known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District around Walt Disney World in Orlando. In its place, he created a board packed with allies to oversee the district. Disney also filed the first lawsuit against DeSantis and this board in April alleging these actions were “government retaliation.”
Disney has also canceled plans for an almost $1 billion employee campus in Orlando, citing “changing business conditions.”
