Nearly a year since state legislators enacted a law that placed Florida’s governor in charge of Walt Disney World’s administrative region, Gov. Ron DeSantis, on Thursday, hailed the move as a ‘success.’
Staff Departures Amidst Battles
This declaration comes amidst a wave of staff departures, active legal battles, and controversy linked to one of his appointees.
DeSantis Celebrates Legal Win
In a sort of celebratory moment at a Disney World press conference, DeSantis highlighted an initial win in the legal dispute against Disney regarding the district’s authority.
This district had been under Disney loyalists’ leadership for over fifty years, up until last year’s governmental takeover.
Enhancing Transparency
The governor emphasized that appointing his own team to oversee the district has enhanced transparency and accountability. It’s also lightened the tax load for Disney, along with nearby shops and eateries at the theme park resort, and has fostered a more competitive environment for contract awards.
Essential Services
The district’s role extends to providing essential services like firefighting, planning, and mosquito control. “That is a win, not just for people in this region, but the state of Florida,” DeSantis remarked.
DeSantis Visits Disney
“Three weeks after a federal judge in Tallahassee ruled against Disney’s free speech lawsuit, targeting Governor DeSantis and his board appointees, DeSantis visited Disney World.
‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law
The lawsuit, which Disney is appealing, claimed that the law transferring district control from Disney-friendly figures to DeSantis’ appointees was a retaliatory act for opposing Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.
This 2022 legislation, which DeSantis ardently supported, prohibits discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in early education.
Parental Rights in Education
The official title of the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislation is the “Parental Rights in Education” bill. It was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in March 2022.
The law amends Florida’s education statutes, particularly focusing on parental involvement in education and the topics discussed in classrooms.
Controversial LGBTQ+ Topics
A key aspect of the law is its emphasis on parental rights in education. It allows parents to sue school districts for violations, potentially leading to schools and teachers being more cautious about addressing or discussing LGBTQ+ topics, even indirectly, to avoid legal challenges.
Controversy Over Vague Language
The law specifically prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. For older grades, any instruction on these topics must be “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate.”
Critics Question Clarity
The language of the bill has been a point of contention, as critics argue it is vague and open to broad interpretation, potentially leading to confusions about such discussions in schools.
Disney World’s Authority
There’s an ongoing legal battle in an Orlando state court over district control. Before the shift in power early last year, board members who were Disney advocates had inked deals transferring design and construction authority at Disney World to the company.
Challenging Disney Deals
The new appointees from DeSantis’ side labeled these as ‘eleventh-hour deals’ that undercut their authority. Consequently, the district initiated a lawsuit in state court to annul these contracts.
Disney Responds
In response, Disney has filed counterclaims, seeking a state court’s affirmation that the agreements are legitimate and binding.
Operational Concerns
Since the district was taken over, there’s been a notable staff turnover with about 50 of the 370 employees leaving. This exodus has sparked concerns about the district’s operational efficiency amidst these vacancies.
Politicization Claims
Departing staff have voiced frustrations about perceived politicization, alleging that political allies are being favored for hiring and contracts. The backgrounds of the five DeSantis appointees have also drawn attention.
Accusations of Hypocrisy
Bridget Ziegler, a Moms for Liberty co-founder and one of the appointees, has faced accusations of hypocrisy due to her admitted involvement in a sexual encounter, despite her public stance against LGBTQ+ rights.
Alleged Illegal Recording
Her husband, Christian Ziegler, who was recently removed from his role as the head of the Florida Republican Party, is under investigation by the Sarasota Police Department for allegedly illegally recording this encounter.
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