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Disney CEO Bob Iger has railed against Florida’s Republican governor in the ongoing civil war between the entertainment company and the state.
On Monday, Mr. Iger said Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent actions were “anti-business” and “anti-Florida.”
State lawmakers targeted Dean after he criticized a Florida law that restricts sex and sexuality education.
In the debate, Mr. DeSantis pushed for more government oversight of DC’s Orlando theme parks.
“A company has the same freedom of speech as individuals,” Mr Iger said in a meeting with Disney shareholders on Monday, US media reported.
Mr. DeSantis said he was “very angry with the position Disney took,” citing the company’s opposition to the state’s parental rights in education law, which critics have dubbed “don’t say gay.”
The move would ban school-based guidance on sexual orientation and gender identity for students aged nine and under.
In his remarks, Mr. Iger acknowledged the battle over the last-minute deal signed before Florida forced D.C. to hand over specially reserved powers to state officials.
“It appears he has decided to retaliate against us, including naming a new board to oversee the property and business,” Mr. Iger said.
“That seems wrong to me.”
In the year Mr. Iger, who is chairing his first investor meeting since returning as Disney’s chief executive in November 2022, added: “Any action that undermines those efforts to retaliate against the company’s position would not only be anti-business, but anti-Florida.” .”
“And I’ll leave it at that.”
For more than 50 years, Walt Disney World has operated within Florida’s Reedy Creek Improvement District and served as a self-governing area primarily overseeing the utilities and fire departments.
In February, Mr. DeSantis signed a bill for additional layers of external oversight that now governs through a state-appointed board. But last week, the new board said it was pulled out of the contract at the last minute.
That contract gives Disney total control over development in the district in perpetuity, or until “21 years after the death of Charles III, the last surviving monarch of England.”
Mr. DeSantis and his allies called the move an attempt to defy the will of Floridians and state lawmakers. The governor has ordered an investigation into the ruling board.
The battle over cultural issues between Mr. DeSantis and Disney has helped raise the governor’s profile as the 2024 Republican presidential front-runner. He is expected to announce his candidacy in the coming months.
On Monday, Mr. DeSantis signed legislation allowing residents to carry concealed weapons without a license or training.
The law takes effect on July 1 and makes Florida the 26th US state to allow license-free carry.
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