The Walt Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have reached a settlement over control of a special tax district that includes the Disney World theme park in Orlando, the company announced Wednesday.
“We are pleased to be able to conclude all litigation pending in Florida state court,” Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahr said in a statement. He added that the agreement “opens a new chapter of constructive engagement” and will allow the company to continue investing in the resort.
Disney and Mr. DeSantis have been in a two-year battle over Disney World, a 25,000-acre theme park and resort complex south of Orlando that is one of the state's largest employers.
In response to Disney's criticism of the Florida education law, which opponents called “Don't Say It's Gay,” Mr. DeSantis took over the tax district, appointed a new board of directors, and made Disney World as if it were self-governing. The company's long-standing ability to do so ended. It was a county.
But before the acquisition took effect, Disney signed a deal in a secret but publicly advertised meeting that finalized approximately $17 billion worth of development plans over the next 10 years. Efforts by Mr. DeSantis and his associates to invalidate the contract led Disney to sue Mr. DeSantis and the tax district in federal court. The new appointees then sued the company in state court.
The Central Florida Tourism Supervisory District met Wednesday, and the board discussed Disney's proposed settlement.
A federal judge dismissed Disney's lawsuit against DeSantis in January, and the company said it would immediately appeal. As part of Wednesday's settlement, Disney agreed to pause, but not completely halt, its efforts.
The state of Florida and a group of parents and teachers challenging the education law reached a settlement this month that clarifies its scope. The settlement clarifies that the law applies only to formal classroom instruction.
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