DeSantis signs Florida transportation bill targeting Disney’s monorail.

Disney World Monorail System Subject to Increased State Oversight

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has signed a transportation bill that includes a provision subjecting the monorail system at the Walt Disney World Resort to increased state oversight. The bill, HB 1305, does not explicitly mention the system but would make it subject to state inspections.

Latest Legislative Action Aimed at Disney

The provision states that “any governmentally or privately owned fixed-guideway transportation systems operating in this state which are located within an independent special district created by local act which have boundaries within two contiguous counties” will be subject to state “minimum safety standards.” This is the latest legislative action aimed at Disney, as the state recently took over the special taxing district encompassing the Walt Disney World Resort. In response, Disney sued the state officials in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, alleging that they engaged in a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials.”

Disney Maintains Retaliatory Action by Florida Government

Disney maintains that the action by the Florida government is “retaliatory” and says they believe there is no end in sight. Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, addressed the feud with the Sunshine State at the company’s earnings call on Wednesday. He noted their “terrific relationship” with the state in the past.

Disney’s Plans to Invest $17 Billion Over the Next 10 Years

Iger said, “We never wanted, and we certainly never expected, to be in the position of having to defend our business interests in federal court, particularly having such a terrific relationship with the state as we’ve had for more than 50 years. And as I mentioned on our shareholder call, we have a huge opportunity to continue to invest in Florida. I noted that our plans are to invest $17 billion over the next 10 years, which is what the state should want us to do.”

Disney Asks: Does the State Want Us to Invest More?

Iger continued, “We operate responsibly. We pay our fair share of taxes. We employ thousands of people and, by the way, we pay them substantially above the minimum wage dictated by the state of Florida. We also provide them with great benefits and free education. So I’m going to finish what is obviously kind of a long answer by asking one question: Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people, and pay more taxes or not?”

• The provision in the bill would make the monorail system at the Walt Disney World Resort subject to state inspections.
• The state took over the special taxing district encompassing the Walt Disney World Resort recently.
• Disney sued the state officials in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
• Disney maintains that the action by the Florida government is “retaliatory.”
• Disney plans to invest $17 billion over the next 10 years.

Despite the ongoing feud between DeSantis and the company, Disney plans to continue investing in Florida and creating job opportunities for thousands of people. The company hopes that the state will support their efforts and allow them to operate under the same rules as everyone else.

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