“Florida’s Attempt to Silence Critical and Independent Speech and Thought” — What Lawmakers Are Saying About Proposed Reedy Creek Changes

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The future of Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District still hangs in the air after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis filed a bill that would change how the self-governing district operates.

©Spectrum News 13

We shared Disney’s response to the new legislation, but now it appears other Florida lawmakers have spoken out to criticize the bill as well — in the form of proposed amendments. Here’s what we know.

The latest Reedy Creek legislation proposed by Governor DeSantis (HB 9B) seeks to change the district’s name, make the Board wholly Governor-appointed, strip RCID of certain powers, restrict other perks regarding spending and tax codes, and more. While this is just a draft proposal for now, it could grow legs and gain traction in the Florida legislature.

Reedy Creek Trash Cans

However, various amendments have now been filed on HB 9B, also called the “Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange and Osceola Counties” bill.

There are multiple different amendments, such as the one proposed by Rep. Harris regarding the RCID Board which suggests that “Any person who has previously contributed to a political committee affiliated with the Governor or made a campaign contribution for the election of the Governor” not be admitted a seat on the Board.

©The Florida Channel | Courtesy of WTVT

Rep. Anna Eskamani proposed an amendment regarding the new Board as well, this time suggesting that instead of five members as DeSantis proposed, the Board of Supervisors would consist of seven members: three appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the Senate, and four would be local elected officials such as the mayors of Orlando, Orange County, Kissimmee, and the chair of the Osceola Board of County Commissioners.

©WFTV 9

Another amendment proposed by Eskamani would provide more distance between the new Board and Florida legislature (DeSantis). It would mean that anyone who has held an “elected office during the 10 years immediately preceding his or her appointment” or who has “made any campaign contributions to the Governor or any political committee affiliated with the Governor” could not serve on the Board either.

A similar amendment was filed regarding the general counsel the Board is allowed to employ for legal services when needed — no partners or shareholders from the chosen firm can have “served as an elected official during the 10 years immediately preceding such appointment or contracting” or have made political contributions to the Governor.

Reedy Creek Emergency Vehicles©Wesh

In addition to Board changes, Rep. Harris proposed that the Governor can’t “accept anything of value, including but not limited to, campaign contributions or transportation free of charge on privately owned aircraft, from a vendor, contractor, company or other person financially affiliated with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District,” — the DeSantis-proposed new name for Reedy Creek.

©Fox10 News | Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Speaking of the district’s new name, perhaps the most critical amendment filed regarding DeSantis’ new Reedy Creek bill was written by Rep. Eskamani — who was suggested that the district be renamed “Florida’s Attempt to Silence Critical and Independent Speech and Thought.”

Many have watched the Disney and DeSantis drama unfold since the dissolution of Reedy Creek was viewed as retaliation for Disney’s response to the Parental Rights in Education bill (the “Don’t Say Gay” bill which has now become law.) Now that this new legislation has been drafted, we’ll have to wait and see what unfolds.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline

The legislation will be a topic of discussion at the State Affairs Committee hearings on February 8th, but there is still a ways to go before the bill makes it to the House and Senate floors.

Cinderella Castle

For more on the Reedy Creek situation, see our posts below:

• The LOOPHOLE Disney might use to resolve some of its Reedy Creek issues
• “We’re Not Going to Have a Corporation Controlling Its Own Government” — Governor DeSantis Comments on the Future of Disney’s Reedy Creek District
• “We Don’t Have a Choice” — Update on Disney’s Reedy Creek Drama from the District’s Leaders

Stay tuned to DFB for more news.

See a Full Breakdown of the Proposed Reedy Creek Bill Here

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What do you think will end up happening with Reedy Creek? Let us know in the comments.

The post “Florida’s Attempt to Silence Critical and Independent Speech and Thought” — What Lawmakers Are Saying About Proposed Reedy Creek Changes first appeared on the disney food blog.

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