Orlando, Fla. ( Associated Press) – Days after Disney filed a lawsuit in federal court against the state of Florida, it said it was retaliation from the state for opposing a so-called “no law” law. Disney World’s board of oversight, which is made up of DeSantis appointees, authorized a lawsuit Monday against the entertainment giant.
Members of the Central Florida Tourism Supervisory District voted unanimously to sue Disney in state court in the Orlando area, as well as defend itself in federal court in Tallahassee, where the entertainment company filed its lawsuit last Wednesday.
Disney’s lawsuit against the governor, the board and five of its members asks a judge to vacate the governor’s takeover of the theme park district that was formerly controlled by Disney for 55 years.
“We will seek justice in our own backyard,” said Martin Garcia, president of the Central Florida Tourism Supervisory District.
An email was sent to Disney officials Monday morning for comment.
Disney filed its lawsuit last week after a Disney-appointed oversight board voted to void an agreement that gave the company authority over design and construction decisions at its sprawling properties near Orlando.
Disney’s lawsuit was the latest salvo in a more than a year-long dispute between Disney and DeSantis that has drawn criticism to the governor as he prepares to launch a long-awaited presidential bid in the coming months .
DeSantis, who as a Republican firebrand himself has been able to deftly carry out his conservative agenda without drama, has entered the fray with the Darling Company and Top Engines of Tourism, while White House business leaders and rivals criticized his position. Rejection of small government principles of conservatism.
The battle began last year when Disney came under heavy pressure to publicly oppose a state law that bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in the early grades, a policy critic calls “Don’t Say Gay.”
