ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney CEO Bob Iger on Monday mentioned any retaliatory actions by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature in opposition to the corporate that threaten jobs or enlargement at its Florida resort isn't solely “anti-business ... however anti-Florida.”
Answering a query throughout an internet shareholders’ assembly, Iger mentioned that the Republican governor and lawmakers seemed to be retaliating in opposition to the corporate for exercising its constitutional rights when Disney final yr criticized Florida’s nicknamed “Don’t Say Homosexual” laws whereas Bob Chapek was helming the corporate on the time. The measure bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identification in kindergarten via third grade, in addition to classes deemed not age-appropriate.
In response, Florida lawmakers handed, and DeSantis signed, laws revamping the government-like board that oversees Walt Disney World’s 27,000-acre (10,926-hectare) property outdoors Orlando. Among the many adjustments the laws made was that the Florida governor acquired to select the 5 supervisors of the governing board as a substitute of it being managed by Disney, because it had been in its earlier 55 years.
Throughout the shareholders’ assembly, Iger declared the corporate’s love for the state of Florida, noting it was the most important taxpayer within the state and employed round 75,000 staff. The corporate has plans to make $17 billion in investments at Disney World over the following 10 years that can create a further 13,000 jobs, he mentioned.
Iger acknowledged that there could have been some missteps in how Disney initially responded to the Florida laws — the corporate took its time in talking out in opposition to it publicly, and solely after Disney staff exerted inner strain. However he mentioned the corporate had a proper to free speech, simply as people do.
By taking over Disney, DeSantis tried to additional his fame as a tradition warrior prepared to battle perceived political enemies and wield the ability of state authorities to perform political targets, a technique that's anticipated to proceed forward of his potential White Home run.
However the DeSantis-appointed supervisors mentioned final week on the second assembly of the revamped board that their predecessors had pulled a quick one on them by passing restrictive covenants that strip the brand new board of most of its powers.
DeSantis on Monday requested Florida’s chief inspector common to launch an investigation into the actions of the earlier board.
DeSantis mentioned in a letter to chief inspector common that any authorized or moral violations ought to be referred to “the suitable authorities.”
“Disney is once more preventing to maintain its particular company advantages and dodge Florida legislation,” DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern mentioned in an e-mail. “We aren't going to let that occur. As Governor DeSantis not too long ago mentioned, ‘You ain’t seen nothing but.’”
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Comply with Mike Schneider on Twitter at @MikeSchneiderAP
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