“We’re Footing the Bill for This Buffoonery”: DeSantis Prison “Joke” Could Cost Floridians $17 Billion

Jo ShawNov 7, 2023

Minute Read

In a recent press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis allegedly “joked” about building a prison near Walt Disney World or a rival theme park. DeSantis’ “buffoonery” has now become part of Disney’s federal lawsuit against him. Furthermore, Disney is scrapping plans for a $1 billion corporate campus, which would provide around 2,000 jobs.

Governor DeSantis Joked New State Prison to Be Built

Editorial credit: Aaron of L.A. Photography / Shutterstock.

During an April press conference covered by Newsweek, Governor DeSantis reportedly made a series of jesting comments about his recently established Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. He humorously suggested that the district could serve as a potential location for a new state prison or perhaps even a competing theme park to challenge Disney.

The Possibilities Are Endless

“Come to think of it, now people are like, ‘What should we do with this land?’” DeSantis said during the conference. “People have said, maybe create a state park. Maybe try to do more amusement parks. Someone even said, maybe you need another state prison. Who knows? I just think that the possibilities are endless, and so that is now going to be analyzed to see what is going to make the most sense.”

DeSantis Locked in Legal Battle With House of Mouse

Image Credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.

Governor DeSantis and the Walt Disney Company have found themselves embroiled in numerous legal disputes, all originating from the former CEO Bob Chapek’s decision to stand firm against activist pressure and publicly oppose the contentious Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to as DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” law.

Creation of a Special Tax District Around Disney World

Editorial credit: Tada Images / Shutterstock.

This initiated a conflict between the divisive far-right presidential candidate and the renowned media corporation, ultimately resulting in DeSantis discontinuing the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the special tax district encompassing Walt Disney World.

Disney Loses Exemptions

The Reedy Creek Improvement District was established in 1967 to foster the growth of Walt Disney World. Disney contributed taxes to this district, which, in turn, supplied municipal services and granted certain regulatory exemptions to the company.

New Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Created

As a result of the ongoing legal dispute, Governor DeSantis has substituted it with the newly established Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and populated the new board of directors with a collection of his trusted associates.

DeSantis’ Jokes Now Part of Federal Lawsuit

DeSantis has a reputation for making critical remarks about his political adversaries in the media. However, it appears that some of his “jokes” regarding using the land surrounding Disney World have evolved into legal ammunition for Walt Disney Company as they become part of the lawsuit.

Lawsuit Could Cost State Around $17 Billion

Editorial credit: Silvia Elizabeth Pangaro / Shutterstock.

The CEO of the company, Bob Iger, has cautioned Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida that their ongoing conflict with Disney could potentially result in Florida State losing out on up to $17 billion. In a not-so-subtle warning, CEO Bob Iger implied that the company might reconsider its intentions to invest in Florida.

Does Florida Want More Investment or Not?

CEO Bob Igor stated, “I noted that our plans were to invest 17 billion over the next ten years, which is what the state should want us to do,” “Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people, and pay more taxes, or not?” Iger asked.

Disney Scrapped Plans for $1 Billion Corporate Campus

Disney has also recently abandoned its plans to construct a corporate campus in central Florida, initially intended to accommodate 2,000 employees, which would have cost the company around $1 billion.

CEO – Its Plainly a Matter of Retaliation

“We all know there was no concerted effort to do anything to dismantle what was once called Reedy Creek special district until we spoke out on the legislation,” CEO Bob Iger reportedly said during a call. “So this is plainly a matter of retaliation,” he stated.

More Than 50 Years of Disney in Orlando

Editorial credit: Mia2you / Shutterstock.

“We certainly never expected to be in the position of having to defend our own business interest in federal court, particularly having such a terrific relationship with the state as we’ve had for more than 50 years,” Iger said.

Governor Retaliated Against Disney for Right to Free Speech

Subsequently, Disney has initiated legal action against DeSantis, asserting that the governor took retaliatory measures against Disney for expressing its right to free speech, safeguarded by the Constitution’s First Amendment.

Disney Loses Special Privileges

Image Credit: The Old Major / Shutterstock.

Publicly, DeSantis characterized the revocation of the Reedy Creek special district as an endeavor to remove special privileges from Disney.

Universal Studios Brought Into the Fray

Editorial credit: Chansak Joe / Shutterstock.

The Florida governor is arguing that Disney should no longer enjoy special privileges granted by the district. However, Florida has given Universal Orlando Resort similar benefits for its upcoming Epic Universe theme park, which will open in 2025. Establishing the Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District, overseen by Universal employees, could potentially support Disney’s arguments in the case.

No Action Taken on Other Districts

Image Credit: Hunter Crenian / Shutterstock.

Nonetheless, DeSantis has taken no action regarding his state’s nearly 2,000 other special districts.

Opposition to Special Tax Districts

An online user voiced their opposition to special tax districts, posting, “Good grief! I was opposed to Disney’s special taxing district back in the 1970s when DisneyWorld was first created. I had mixed feelings when the State took it away from Disney due to the motivation behind those actions. But now Universal is getting its own?!?!?”

Floridians “Footing the Bill” for “Buffoonery”

Another posted their opposition to DeSantis’ actions as the Floridians will be the ones to lose out, “This just made the Disney case a slam dunk. The sad part is, we’re footing the bill for this buffoonery.”