Florida Senate passes bill to strip Disney’s special self-governing status, as feud over “Don’t Say Gay” law escalates

The Florida Senate on April 20, 2022 passed a bill that would dissolve the special taxing district that allows the Walt Disney Co. to self-govern in its theme-park area.

Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber backed the measure in a 23-16 vote. It now requires a vote in the state House before going to the desk of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who called on the Legislature to support the bill during the special session this week.

DeSantis has hinted in the last few weeks that he wants to do away with Disney’s protections, saying he doesn’t “support special privileges in law just because a company is powerful.”