DeSantis’ threat to add taxes, tolls near Disney is turning point in feud, experts say

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appears to have recovered from the counterpunch landed by The Walt Disney Co. in a feud regarding the theme park giant — and his latest plan takes aim at the company’s wallet.

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During an April 6 appearance at Hillsdale College in Michigan, DeSantis appeared to be looking at taxes on hotels, tolls on the roads within the Reedy Creek Improvement District area and developing the property the district owns around Disney. This tactic comes a week after both DeSantis and his appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board — which via a law he signed replaced the former Reedy Creek Improvement District board — discovered that Disney and the former board had entered into agreements that essentially stripped most of the district’s power and handed it to Disney prior to the leadership replacement.

“They are not superior to the people of Florida,” DeSantis said at the event. “So come hell or high water, we’re going to make sure that policy of Florida carries the day. And so they can keep trying to do things, but ultimately we’re going to win on every single issue involving Disney — I can tell you that,” he said.

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.

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