Florida Passes Payments to ‘Punish Disney’ for Opposing DeSantis’ ‘Don’t Say Homosexual’ Legislation | Nationwide Information

The Florida Home handed two payments Thursday escalating a standoff between GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney Co. after the company large criticized a controversial new state legislation that prohibits classroom instruction of sexual orientation and gender identification for some youthful age teams within the state.

DeSantis known as a particular session of the state legislature after Disney revealed its opposition to the brand new rule, dubbed the “Don’t Say Homosexual” legislation by critics, which has since sparked controversy effectively past Florida’s borders. The legislature this week took up a invoice regarding particular districts within the state that threatens the corporate’s autonomy over its property in addition to one other measure that may strip Disney’s exemption from a few of its social media legal guidelines.

After the Florida Senate voted to move the payments Wednesday, they went to the Home ground Thursday. Each payments regarding Disney handed 70-38.

Democratic state lawmakers didn’t mince phrases over what they consider to be the payments’ intentions. Sen. Janet Cruz known as the strikes an try to “punish Disney” for taking a stand towards the “Don’t Say Homosexual” legislation, whereas Sen. Tina Polsky mentioned it was an instance of “revenge governance” and “probably the most brutal type of cancel tradition we’ve ever seen.”

“The Disney Company is being attacked for expressing help for its many LGBTQ staff and clients,” Polsky mentioned. “I do not know what occurred to all of you – to the Republican Social gathering generally – with respect to permitting non-public companies to run themselves. Isn’t that the definition of capitalism? However after they cross this governor, they are going to be punished. That is precisely the definition of authoritarianism.”

One of many payments, SB 4C, would eradicate the distinctive standing that permits the corporate to function successfully as a municipality, a rule negotiated within the Nineteen Sixties that has allowed the corporate to develop the massive acreage of swamp that now makes up its theme parks. Underneath the brand new rule, which takes impact in July, the particular district the place the corporate’s theme park resides, often called the Reedy Creek Enchancment District, wouldn’t be dismantled for one more yr.

However the state could not have the final phrase on the corporate’s distinctive standing. Underneath Florida legislation, to ensure that the legislature to dissolve an unbiased particular district, the act should be accredited by a majority of voters within the district.

However, Republicans look like making an attempt to ship the corporate a powerful message.

“Disney is a visitor in Florida,” Republican Rep. Randy High quality wrote in a tweet following DeSantis’ announcement of a particular session to focus on the 2 payments. “In the present day we remind them.”