Florida Gov. DeSantis revokes Disney’s special tax status

Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

The Walt Disney Company's special tax status in the area was stripped by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday. The move is seen as retaliation against Disney for its criticism of the state's gay law.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek apologized to employees who protested what they viewed as a failure by the company to support the LGBTQ community. Disney issued a press release that said it was for the law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and that it remained committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that.

According to The New York Times, DeSantis said Friday he was not comfortable with having that type of agenda get special treatment in his state.

The Parental Rights in Education law bars Florida teachers from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity with students in certain grades.

The State House voted to approve the measure to end Disney's special tax status on Thursday, just hours after the State Senate voted to approve it.

The Reedy Creek Improvement District has been controlled by Disney for 55 years. It allowed the company to make decisions about its real estate holdings in the area, which include four theme parks, two water parks, stores and restaurants, a sports complex and hotels. The responsibility for Reedy Creek will likely be taken over by Orange and Osceola counties.

If the law remains in place, the Reedy Creek district will cease to exist on June 1st, 2023.

On Friday, Disney didn't reply to a request for comment.