WEATHER ALERT
'What is it they’re trying to hide?' Disney accuses DeSantis-appointed district of withholding records
Read full article: 'What is it they’re trying to hide?' Disney accuses DeSantis-appointed district of withholding recordsAttorneys representing the Walt Disney Company have accused the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, or CFTOD, of withholding records as part of a lawsuit filed against the company by the special taxing district.
Disney sues state-controlled former Reedy Creek district over public records request
Read full article: Disney sues state-controlled former Reedy Creek district over public records requestWalt Disney Parks and Resorts filed a lawsuit late Friday accusing the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, or CFTOD, of failing to preserve and turn over public records in violation of Florida law and the state’s constitution.
Florida man sues Reedy Creek over elevator ride at Disney Springs parking garage
Read full article: Florida man sues Reedy Creek over elevator ride at Disney Springs parking garageThe lawsuit says that the man — Michael Johnson — took the elevator in July 2022 during a trip to Disney Springs with his duaghter.
‘Reedy Creek failed’: Hundreds of district employees owe over $2M in back taxes
Read full article: ‘Reedy Creek failed’: Hundreds of district employees owe over $2M in back taxesIn a letter to the IRS, district officials explained that Disney theme park passes and discounts given to employees weren't properly reported as taxable benefits.
Reedy Creek no more: DeSantis-appointed Disney district unveils new website, logo
Read full article: Reedy Creek no more: DeSantis-appointed Disney district unveils new website, logoSome 10 months after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law to rename Disney’s special taxing district the “Central Florida Tourism Oversight District” and appointed a new board to oversee it, the district has unveiled a new website URL.
Central Florida tourism board promises alternative to Disney perks for workers
Read full article: Central Florida tourism board promises alternative to Disney perks for workersThe Gov. DeSantis-appointed board overseeing Walt Disney World’s property says it is working to find an alternative to benefits for workers and retirees that includes Disney passes and discounts.
Disney countersues in Florida court after oversight board pushes for judgment
Read full article: Disney countersues in Florida court after oversight board pushes for judgmentThe Walt Disney Company on Thursday filed a countersuit against the DeSantis-appointed board overseeing Disney property in Florida court, alleging breach of contract.
Lake Buena Vista, Bay Lake keep property tax in place to keep off-duty deputies
Read full article: Lake Buena Vista, Bay Lake keep property tax in place to keep off-duty deputiesLeaders from Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake met Thursday to discuss property tax changes affecting off-duty law enforcement services.
State-run board overseeing Disney property OKs new contract for fire department
Read full article: State-run board overseeing Disney property OKs new contract for fire departmentThe board overseeing Disney World’s taxing district voted Wednesday to approve changes affecting first responders and property owners.
Florida Gov. DeSantis files motion to dismiss Disney’s federal lawsuit against him
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis files motion to dismiss Disney’s federal lawsuit against himThe Walt Disney Company has no basis for suing Florida’s governor in federal court over actions taken to reform the special district that governed Disney property, according to a new motion filed in the lawsuit between Gov. DeSantis and Disney.
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill to void Reedy Creek development agreement with Disney
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill to void Reedy Creek development agreement with DisneyGov. Ron DeSantis has thrown the latest punch in his ongoing feud with Florida's largest employer, Walt Disney World, by signing a bill aimed at voiding the former Reedy Creek Improvement District's development deal with the theme park and media giant.
Florida senate gives approval for Disney monorail inspections
Read full article: Florida senate gives approval for Disney monorail inspectionsThe Florida Senate on Tuesday backed a measure that would lead to state oversight of Walt Disney World’s monorail system, as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ fight with the entertainment giant continues to expand.
DeSantis’ tourism board to learn about Disney lawsuit at special meeting
Read full article: DeSantis’ tourism board to learn about Disney lawsuit at special meetingOn Monday morning, the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District will meet to discuss one thing — Disney’s lawsuit against them.
Disney sues DeSantis in US court alleging campaign of retaliation, rights violations
Read full article: Disney sues DeSantis in US court alleging campaign of retaliation, rights violationsThe Walt Disney Company is going to court against Gov. DeSantis and the state of Florida, as the fight between DeSantis and Disney continues.
DeSantis’ Disney district board: ‘We are going to have to raise taxes’
Read full article: DeSantis’ Disney district board: ‘We are going to have to raise taxes’Gov. Ron DeSantis’ hand-picked board members told concerned business owners their taxes would be raised to help pay for lawyers during the governor’s ongoing fight with Disney.
DeSantis-appointed Disney district board meets to ensure company ‘held accountable’
Read full article: DeSantis-appointed Disney district board meets to ensure company ‘held accountable’Changes could be in the works for Walt Disney World as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ newly appointed board overseeing the theme park’s taxing district is meeting on Wednesday.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to reclaim power over Disney board. Here’s how
Read full article: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to reclaim power over Disney board. Here’s howFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced steps he’s taking to reclaim power over Disney’s special district at a news conference Monday at the Reedy Creek Administration Building in Lake Buena Vista.
Would Disney’s CEO meet with Gov. DeSantis over differences? ‘Of course,’ Iger says
Read full article: Would Disney’s CEO meet with Gov. DeSantis over differences? ‘Of course,’ Iger saysDespite tensions between the Walt Disney Company and Florida’s governor, Disney’s CEO says he would be glad to meet with Governor Ron DeSantis and hash out their differences.
DeSantis promises ‘very, very strong action’ against Disney over Reedy Creek agreement
Read full article: DeSantis promises ‘very, very strong action’ against Disney over Reedy Creek agreementFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis would not go into specifics Friday, but he promised that he and the state Legislature would take “very, very strong action” in the coming weeks against Disney for an agreement that serves to strip the new district that oversees Disney World property of much of its power.
Disney CEO Bob Iger calls DeSantis ‘anti-Florida’ in fight over special district
Read full article: Disney CEO Bob Iger calls DeSantis ‘anti-Florida’ in fight over special districtWalt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger addressed the ongoing feud between the theme park giant and Ron DeSantis on Monday hours after the Florida governor fired back at the former Reedy Creek Improvement District, requesting an investigation.
DeSantis fires back after Disney strips power from his special district board
Read full article: DeSantis fires back after Disney strips power from his special district boardFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis fired back at the former Reedy Creek Improvement District and requested a state investigation be launched Monday after learning Disney stripped his special board of its power.
Insider extra: Videos, documents show Disney stripping power from DeSantis’ special district board in public
Read full article: Insider extra: Videos, documents show Disney stripping power from DeSantis’ special district board in publicOn Feb. 8, several dozen spectators took their seats inside the administrative offices of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly known as Reedy Creek Improvement District, to attend a previously-scheduled public meeting of the special taxing district’s board of supervisors.
How Disney stripped power from Florida Gov. DeSantis’ special district board
Read full article: How Disney stripped power from Florida Gov. DeSantis’ special district boardOn Feb. 8, several dozen spectators took their seats inside the administrative offices of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly known as Reedy Creek Improvement District, to attend a previously-scheduled public meeting of the special taxing district’s board of supervisors.
Orlando columnist breaks down Florida’s top 5 special interest groups
Read full article: Orlando columnist breaks down Florida’s top 5 special interest groupsOrlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell said lawmakers can get pulled into some pretty strange positions by Florida’s special interest groups.
Reedy Creek’s renamed board meets for 1st time since being appointed by Gov. DeSantis
Read full article: Reedy Creek’s renamed board meets for 1st time since being appointed by Gov. DeSantisIt was an emotional start during the first meeting of the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District—the newly renamed Reedy Creek Improvement District—Board of Supervisors on Wednesday.
These are the 5 people Gov. DeSantis appointed to former Reedy Creek district’s board
Read full article: These are the 5 people Gov. DeSantis appointed to former Reedy Creek district’s boardFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his appointment of five members to the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly the Reedy Creek District.
‘Corporate Kingdom comes to an end:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis eliminates Disney control over special district
Read full article: ‘Corporate Kingdom comes to an end:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis eliminates Disney control over special districtControl over Disney’s special district officially went to the hands of Florida as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill renaming and remaking Reedy Creek.
Florida House passes bill to rename, remake Disney’s Reedy Creek
Read full article: Florida House passes bill to rename, remake Disney’s Reedy CreekFlorida House Lawmakers in Tallahassee passed a bill Thursday that will change the governing body that runs Walt Disney World property in the latest chapter of the fight between Florida Gov. DeSantis and Walt Disney World.
Bill putting Disney’s special district under DeSantis’ control moves forward in Florida House
Read full article: Bill putting Disney’s special district under DeSantis’ control moves forward in Florida HouseThe Florida House is ready to take up a proposal that would shift control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and give it a new name.
Reedy Creek board meets amid Florida special session on Disney district
Read full article: Reedy Creek board meets amid Florida special session on Disney districtThe Reedy Creek Improvement District board met amid a special session that could give Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis control over the Disney district.
Gov. DeSantis touts tax relief proposals, discusses Disney and Trump during event in Ocala
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis touts tax relief proposals, discusses Disney and Trump during event in OcalaFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference on Wednesday at an appliance store in Ocala to highlight tax relief proposals he made earlier this month when pitching a $114.8 billion state budget.
Florida special session set for next week to handle Disney’s Reedy Creek, immigration, more
Read full article: Florida special session set for next week to handle Disney’s Reedy Creek, immigration, moreFlorida’s lawmakers will go to Tallahassee next week for a special session to handle a number of issues, including reforming Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.
New details emerge in DeSantis-Disney’s Reedy Creek district battle
Read full article: New details emerge in DeSantis-Disney’s Reedy Creek district battleThe Florida Legislature will get Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to remake the special taxing district for Walt Disney World in the upcoming legislative session, according to a notice filed in Osceola County.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushes back over report about Disney’s Reedy Creek
Read full article: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushes back over report about Disney’s Reedy CreekFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office on Friday pushed back against a published report that claimed state lawmakers were working to reinstate Disney’s own government.
DeSantis promises legislation to prevent Disney debt from falling to taxpayers
Read full article: DeSantis promises legislation to prevent Disney debt from falling to taxpayersGov. Ron DeSantis reiterated his promise that Florida's taxpayers will not take on Walt Disney World's debt when and if the Reedy Creek Improvement District dissolves in 2023, teasing that he may have some legislative measures in place to prevent that from happening.
Orlando lawmakers: Gov. DeSantis may replace Reedy Creek with state-run district
Read full article: Orlando lawmakers: Gov. DeSantis may replace Reedy Creek with state-run districtDemocratic state lawmakers are set to hold a news conference Monday morning to address the new Florida law which will dissolve six special districts in the state, including the Reedy Creek Improvement District which allows Walt Disney World to self-govern.
Florida Reedy Creek dissolution law won’t stand in court, government attorney says
Read full article: Florida Reedy Creek dissolution law won’t stand in court, government attorney saysA Maitland attorney specializing in local government issues said the law stripping Disney of its special governing powers will not hold up in court.
‘We’ll live through this:’ Reedy Creek board tries to allay concern about dissolution, but questions linger
Read full article: ‘We’ll live through this:’ Reedy Creek board tries to allay concern about dissolution, but questions lingerThe Board of Supervisors for Reedy Creek will meet for the first time since the state legislature voted to strip Disney of its self-governing power.
As Florida feuds with Disney, GOP voters, donors live inside elite Disney World community
Read full article: As Florida feuds with Disney, GOP voters, donors live inside elite Disney World communityAfter driving under Walt Disney World’s entrance archways and winding past theme parks and hotels, resort visitors may find themselves outside the guarded gate of an elite residential community containing some of Central Florida’s most expensive real estate.
‘Catastrophic:’ If Disney loses self-government, it will cost taxpayers
Read full article: ‘Catastrophic:’ If Disney loses self-government, it will cost taxpayersWith the state legislature passing a measure to strip Walt Disney World of its self-governing powers, concerns are increasing for what kind of an impact it will have on Central Florida.
Florida Senate approves terminating Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District
Read full article: Florida Senate approves terminating Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement DistrictThe Florida Senate voted Wednesday to eliminate Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, alongside districts populated by Black Democrats, backing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed redistricting plan.
Florida Gov. DeSantis discusses potential for repeal of Disney’s Reedy Creek act
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis discusses potential for repeal of Disney’s Reedy Creek actToward the end of a news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach on Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis commented on the possibility that state lawmakers could move to repeal the 1967 Reedy Creek Improvement Act over Disney’s stated and financial opposition to the recently signed “Parental Rights in Education” bill.
‘It would be a disaster:’ Florida lawmakers discuss repealing Disney’s Reedy Creek government
Read full article: ‘It would be a disaster:’ Florida lawmakers discuss repealing Disney’s Reedy Creek governmentThe rights of Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney's own government, are now being discussed among some Florida lawmakers following controversy surrounding the company's response to Gov. DeSantis' "Don't Say Gay" bill.
Reedy Creek administrators: First responders did not contract COVID-19 on the job
Read full article: Reedy Creek administrators: First responders did not contract COVID-19 on the jobA Reedy Creek representative said the timeline for Grants illness doesnt fall into the accepted CDC guideline of two to 17 days because he started showing symptoms 24 hours after contact with the paramedics. The Reedy Creek communications manager told News 6, We did pull all the EMS reports from June 23 (a week prior to the first person showing symptoms). Reedy Creek paramedics Steven Provost and Brian Astleford were on the June 29 call to Disney Springs and tested positive for the coronavirus four days later. Were on the front lines dealing with COVID everyday, Grant told News 6. They are a lot of employers in Florida simply saying you cant prove you contracted this disease on the job.
Widow of firefighter who died from cancer says state law is failing first responders
Read full article: Widow of firefighter who died from cancer says state law is failing first respondersORLANDO, Fla. – Tanya McKay took the podium before state lawmakers in Tallahassee last year to urge the passage of legislation that would provide coverage for first responders diagnosed with work-related cancer. Grasso had been with Reedy Creek for two years short of the five consecutive years mandated under the law. Both Bichler and Grasso tell News 6 Grasso’s 13 years as a firefighter in Florida communities from Sumter County to Reedy Creek more than meets the standard of service. Grasso’s cancer is in remission and he has returned to work but doctors say there is no guarantee the cancer will not return. Bichler is currently representing firefighters and their families in Seminole County, Reedy Creek and Clay County.
Here’s why guests were escorted off of Flight of Passage at Disney on Thursday
Read full article: Here’s why guests were escorted off of Flight of Passage at Disney on ThursdayORLANDO, Fla. – Guests at Animal Kingdom were escorted off of a popular ride at Disney World on Thursday. Disney officials said first responders with Reedy Creek were called to check out possible smoke at the Flight of Passage ride. Guests were briefly evacuated, according to Disney. The guests were brought back after the ride was cleared and working again.
Reedy Creek firefighter denied cancer benefits suing agency
Read full article: Reedy Creek firefighter denied cancer benefits suing agencyReedy Creek firefighter denied cancer benefits suing agencyPublished: November 13, 2019, 12:27 pmPaul Grasso’s 13-year career as a firefighter led him to his dream job with Reedy Creek in 2017 and a legal fight for cancer benefits less than two years later.