After dismantling Disney World’s special taxing district and replacing it with the DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, Universal has now filed for a special tax district of its own.
Cinderella Castle
Disney is currently suing DeSantis in federal court over the matter, claiming retaliation and infringement on its First Amendment rights. And now, with Universal’s special tax district approval, Disney has shared its thoughts in a new court filing.
Universal Orlando recently filed for a special taxing district “that includes 719 acres and encompasses Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park that’s under construction and 13 acres for a new SunRail train station on Destination Parkway.” On October 10th, the Orange County (Fla.) The Board of County Commissioners voted to approve this district now called The Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District.
Universal Orlando Resort
So, not only did Universal Orlando get approved for a special taxing district, but all of the board members are Universal Orlando employees, including Bradley Goeb, Bryan Julian, Erica Klostermeier, John Hanebrink, and Teresa Crews — something that DeSantis argued was a sign of corruption amongst Disney’s former Reedy Creek board, which was also led by Disney employees.
Universal Studios Florida
Now, Disney has commented on the matter in a new court filing obtained via Deadline.
“In repeated public comments, the Governor declared that the laws do not injure Disney because they simply make the company subject to the same regulatory structure applicable to all other Florida businesses, thereby creating a “level playing field.” That contention is an outright falsehood. In fact, a special district was established just this month to regulate the land encompassing Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park in Orange County—with its inaugural board of supervisors comprising only Universal employees.
Further, most businesses and other property owners in Florida are regulated by elected, politically-accountable municipal bodies. Few Florida businesses are subject, as Disney now is, to governance by a special district with a Governor-controlled board that closely regulates the use of private property with no accountability to local property owners and taxpayers.”
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
It’s important to note that while DeSantis did not hand-pick the Universal board like he did with the new Central Florida Tourism board, he hasn’t put a stop to its formation or claimed it’s corrupt like he did with the former Reedy Creek board.
The Universal district and the former Disney district have similar standard operating procedures and tax implications, but Universal hasn’t made any comments speaking out against Governor DeSantis. Disney is now arguing that this further proves the Reedy Creek District was changed solely based on retaliation.
Disney vs. DeSantis
We’ll continue to keep an eye on the new Universal taxing district along with news about the Disney-DeSantis conflict, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
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DeSatan is posturing himself right OUT OF POLITICS. Let’s hope Florida sees the last of him after 2005.
Mickey, on the other hand, will be here in Florida forever.