lobbied against Floridas Parental Rights in Education law, branded by critics as Dont Say Gay, Disneys going to pay its fair share of taxes. A selection of the most viewed stories this week on the Monitor's website. The signing came as Mr. DeSantis gears up for an expected presidential run and marks a high-profile legislative victory for a governor whose leveraging of cultural and political divides has pushed him to the fore of national Republican politics. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The Post has reached out to Disney for comment. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mr. DeSantis and other Republican critics of Disney slammed the company for coming out against the education law, calling it a purveyor of woke ideology that injects inappropriate subjects into childrens entertainment. The Christian Science Monitor has expired. Florida Gov. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. And we can prove it.. The legislation made official. Youll get the Monitor Weekly magazine, the Monitor Daily email, and unlimited access to CSMonitor.com. Republican critics of the district argue it gives Disney a commercial advantage unavailable to others. FLORIDA BILL REVOKING DISNEY'S SELF-GOVERNING STATUS HEADS TO DESANTIS' DESK. 19802023 The Christian Science Monitor. Ron DeSantis on Monday undid a looming $1.2 billion tax hike on Central Florida residents that he inadvertently imposed a year ago in a hastily passed bill meant to punish Walt Disney Co. for criticizing his so-called "Don't Say Gay" law. We have a mission beyond circulation, we want to bridge divides. OCALA, Fla. Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 7071 which provides more than $1.2 billion of tax relief for Floridians. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. Stay informed about the latest scientific discoveries & breakthroughs. Floridas property insurance market was very good for lawyers. It also prevents people who have worked with or contracted with a theme park in the past three years from serving on the districts new governing board. Gov. Florida Gov. log out. "They had exemptions from laws that everyone else had to follow. It will end Disneys exemption from state regulatory reviews and approval," DeSantis said of the bill. Gina Caranos Mandalorian character will remain in the show, Ex-Disney CEO griped to DeSantis about pressure to slam Fla.s Dont Say Gay bill: book, Disneyland record holder has no plans to beat streak after price hikes. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The company had told the state it planned to build a futuristic city that would include a transit system and urban planning innovations, so the company needed autonomy in building and deciding how to use the land. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The bill requires DeSantis, a Republican, to appoint a five-member board to oversee the government services that the Disney district provides in its sprawling theme park properties in Florida. The bill requires Mr. DeSantis, a Republican, to appoint a five-member board to oversee the government services that the Disney district provides in its sprawling theme park properties in Florida. Florida Gov. Our work isn't possible without your support. Tennessee's governor, Bill Lee, is facing accusations of hypocrisy after a photo of him dressed in drag went viral days after the politician confirmed that he would sign legislation . DeSantis also signed a bill to provide property tax rebates to people whose homes were left uninhabitable by Ian. At his news conference, Mr. DeSantis said he would appoint Tampa attorney Martin Garcia as the chairman of the districts new governing board, along with new board members Bridget Ziegler, a conservative school board member and wife of the Florida Republican party chairman Christian Ziegler; Brian Aungst Jr., an attorney and son of a former two-term Republican mayor of Clearwater; Mike Sasso, an attorney; and Ron Peri, head of The Gathering USA ministry. Ron DeSantis signs bill limiting vaccine mandates in Brandon, Florida. Market data provided by Factset. Report finds FBI, Capitol Police didn't share "credible threats" before Jan. 6. Florida Gov. Were about kicking down the door of thought everywhere and saying, You are bigger and more capable than you realize. The feud also reinforced the governor's brash, go-it-alone leadership style, penalizing a massive employer, tourism driver and political donor in the state over the company's stance on a piece of legislative policy. Disney did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation Monday that overhauls the special district that oversees Walt Disney World by giving the governor power to appoint its board, saying he was getting . ", Florida Gov. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Republican Gov. Appearing at the doorstep of Walt Disney World, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that gives him control of Walt Disney World's self-governing district, punishing the company over its opposition to the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law. The new law comes as Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier steps down from his position. Very good. The governor's signature came the day after the House unanimously passed the bill during a special session originally called to address skyrocketing property insurance rates. He is expected to utilize the coming regular legislative session, which begins next week, to bolster his conservative agenda before he announces his candidacy for president. A weekly update on music, movies, cultural trends, and education solutions. We believe news can and should expand a sense of identity and possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations. "We have a situation here that was basically indefensible from a policy perspective," DeSantis said. Disney officially has a "new sheriff in town" after Florida Gov. Legal Statement. Its made a lot of people very, very rich. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? State Republicans last year targeted Disney after it publicly clashed with DeSantis, who is widely considered to be running for president in 2024, over a law that restricts classroom instruction of gender and sexual orientation, known by its opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" measure. Average annual premiums have risen to more than $4,200 in Florida, which is triple the national average. Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. Ron DeSantis speaks to supporters and members of the media after a bill signing Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 . The corporate kingdom finally comes to an end, DeSantis said during a press event at Lake Buena Vista near Orlando. Biden admin grilled over $23 bln in licenses for blacklisted Chinese firms, Ghislaine Maxwell seeks to void conviction in Jeffrey Epstein case, Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles and Helen Coster in New York; Editing by Mark Porter and Nick Zieminski, FBI director says China lab leak likely caused COVID pandemic, Biden urges US carriers to follow American Airlines on family seating, Pfizer gets FDA panel's backing in RSV vaccine race, Earthquake death toll in Turkey rises above 45,000 - AFAD, UK foreign minister raises BBC tax searches, India says laws are for all, Erdogan indicates Turkey elections to be in May, three months after quake, EU, Russia take strong positions as Ukraine war takes centrestage on G20 meet eve, Russia's Lavrov talks security, trade issues with Indian counterpart, Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals. We believe that that was not good policy.". On Monday, Florida Gov. "Since the 1960s, they've . ", CORPORATE KINGDOM: DESANTIS-BACKED PLAN TO TAKE CONTROL OF DISNEY'S LAND ANNOUNCED, Before signing the legislation, DeSantis told attendees to check their watches so that they know "what time the corporate kingdom came to an end. Under the old arrangement, Disney had the ability to levy taxes, issue bonds, exert control over public services such as police and fire departments and even build its own nuclear power plant within the district if it wanted. The company recently announced a major cost-cutting plan that included 7,000 layoffs. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took control of Disney's special tax district. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Executive Office of Governor Ron DeSantis. An update on major political events, candidates, and parties twice a week. Ron DeSantis (R) signed the Parental Rights in Education billknown by critics as the "Don't Say Gay" billinto law Monday, enacting the policy despite widespread controversy. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday that gives him new power over Disney, effectively punishing the entertainment giant for speaking. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill into law that ends Disneys self-governing power and puts the media giant under the control of a state board. Mr. DeSantis, whose book, The Courage to be Free, is coming out Tuesday, has moved in recent weeks to expand his political network through fundraisers and meetings with donors, elected officials, and conservative influencers, adding to the speculation around his larger political aspirations. In taking on Disney, Mr. DeSantis furthered his reputation as a culture warrior willing to battle perceived political enemies and wield the power of state government to accomplish political goals, a strategy that is expected to continue ahead of his potential White House run. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Thursday limiting COVID vaccine mandates across the state. Florida Gov. The DeSantis-led overhaul cost Disney control over a district it had effectively controlled as a state-within-a-state for decades. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure into law on Friday evening that dissolves Walt Disney World 's special governing power in the state after the company announced public opposition to a . "How do you give one theme park its own government and then treat all the other theme parks differently? Ron DeSantis speaks at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 15, 2023. We The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. Market data provided by Factset. Feb 27 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that takes control of a special tax district surrounding Walt Disney World that for half a century allowed Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) to operate with a high degree of autonomy. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a sweeping voter suppression bill that would make it harder to vote by mail, limit ballot drop boxes, impose new voter ID . We want to hear, did we miss an angle we should have covered? My work in Kenya, for example, was heavily influenced by a Christian Science Monitor article I had forced myself to read 10 years earlier. Rebates to people whose homes were left uninhabitable by Ian major cost-cutting plan that included what bill did governor desantis sign today. 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