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Gov. Ron DeSantis wins control of Disney's special tax district

Gov. Ron DeSantis is now the de facto "sheriff" of Disney World

The Republican-controlled Florida House of Representatives voted to give authority over Walt Disney World's special tax district to the state's new governor, Ron DeSantis. According to the new legislation, DeSantis appointees would take control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and change the name of the district.

Learn more about this change and the bill itself below.

About the change in legislation for Disney

After over half a century of quasi-governmental autonomy, the Florida Senate voted 26-9 on Friday to strip Walt Disney World of authority over its special tax jurisdiction. After the passage of this bill, the Reedy Creek Improvement District will be rebranded as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, and a new board will be appointed by DeSantis.

The legislature also passed a bill allocating $10 million to the Department of Emergency Management to relocate undocumented immigrants within the US. Around $1.56 million that DeSantis spent last year to relocate almost 50 Venezuelan migrants is now lawful thanks to the approval of this measure.

Governor DeSantis

What opponents of the legislation say

A Democratic senator from Orlando, Sen. Victor Torres, blasted the bill as a "power grab" by Gov. DeSantis after the Senate Rules Committee approved it. Orlando Democrat Linda Stewart in the Senate criticized the amendments as unwarranted and said they might derail current district board initiatives. Other Republicans have chimed in to say that the current reforms are a reasonable response to the need for greater oversight and regulation of the state's growing population.

What are your concerns about this change? Share your opinions in the comments below.

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