DeSantis board approves suing Disney in response to lawsuit
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Days after Disney sued Florida’s governor in federal court docket for what it described as retaliation for opposing the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” invoice, members of Disney World’s governing board – made up of Gov. Ron DeSantis appointees – approved a lawsuit Monday in opposition to the leisure large.
Members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District voted unanimously to sue Disney in state court docket within the Orlando space, in addition to defend itself in federal court docket in Tallahassee the place the leisure firm filed its lawsuit final Wednesday.
The Disney lawsuit in opposition to the governor, the board and its 5 members asks a decide to void the governor’s takeover of the theme park district beforehand managed by Disney for 55 years.
“We will seek justice in our own backyard,” stated Martin Garcia, chair of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
An electronic mail looking for remark was despatched Monday morning to Disney officers.
Disney filed its lawsuit final week after the oversight board appointed by DeSantis voted to void a deal that gave the corporate authority over design and development selections in its sprawling properties close to Orlando.
Disney’s lawsuit was the newest salvo in a greater than year-old feud between Disney and DeSantis that has engulfed the governor in criticism as he prepares to launch an anticipated presidential bid within the coming months.
DeSantis, who has framed himself as a Republican firebrand capable of deftly implement his conservative agenda with out drama, has dived headlong into the fray with the beloved firm and main tourism driver, as enterprise leaders and White House rivals bash his stance as a rejection of the small-government tenets of conservatism.
The combat started final 12 months after Disney, within the face of serious strain, publicly opposed a state legislation that bans classroom classes on sexual orientation and gender id in early grades, a coverage critics name “Don’t Say Gay.”
As punishment, DeSantis took over Disney World’s self-governing district and appointed a brand new board of supervisors that might oversee municipal companies within the sprawling theme parks. But earlier than the brand new board got here in, the corporate pushed although an Eleventh-hour settlement that stripped the brand new supervisors of a lot of their authority.
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