In a meeting Wednesday, the DeSantis-appointed members of the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District approved the settlement agreement, ending almost two years of litigation that was sparked by DeSantis’ takeover of the district from Disney supporters following the company’s opposition to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a law that prohibits social media platforms from allowing anyone under 14 to create or maintain accounts, and also requires tech platforms to obtain parental consent before allowing 14- or 15-year olds to create or maintain accounts.
“This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here,” a studio spokesperson says.
Walt Disney Co. will air a commercial on TV and online to promote its importance to Florida, the latest move in a battle with the governor and legislators that’s gone on for more than a year. The company, which owns the 25,000-acre Walt Disney World resort outside of Orlando, released an economic impact study Tuesday saying that it accounts for one out every 32 jobs in Florida, with 263,000 people either working for Disney or connected to it in some fashion. Some 82,000 are employed directly by the company in the state.
The chief financial officer of the state of Florida wants the FCC to “immediately halt any further utilization” of Wireless Emergency Alerts on a national level. Jimmy Patronis, who also serves as the state’s fire marshal, addressed his letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. He took issue with use of the WEA platform to send the nationwide emergency text message to cellphones and wireless devices in early October:
The justices will consider whether Texas and Florida laws restricting platforms from blocking some speech are constitutional.
Just over a week ago, Bob Iger rhetorically asked the adversarial Gov. Ron DeSantis if Florida really wanted Disney’s considerable business and tax revenue, or not. Now, without mentioning the would-be presidential contender or his attacks on the company, the Mouse House has pulled some of that business and taxes revenues from the Sunshine State. In a note that just went out from Parks and Resorts boss Josh D’Amaro to Disney Parks, Experiences & Products employees, Disney is abandoning its plan to move around 2,000 staffers and their families to central Florida from California.
The Walt Disney Co. is asking a judge to dismiss or stay a state lawsuit brought by the special district that oversees its Florida property, calling the litigation “moot” given recent actions taken by the state. In a motion filed in Florida state court in Orange County, Disney also said that Florida law requires that the state court sideline the lawsuit until the company’s own federal case against Governor Ron DeSantis is resolved.
Corporate America is closely watching to see whether one of the country’s most powerful companies can face down a threat to its self-governance and free speech.
The Walt Disney Co. is suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and other state officials, alleging that DeSantis is harming the company’s business operations. The lawsuit comes after months of Disney and DeSantis sparring over legislation that DeSantis has signed and steps the governor has taken to increase the state’s control over Disney.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers ratcheted up pressure on Walt Disney World on Monday by announcing legislation that will use the regulatory powers of Florida government to exert unprecedented oversight on the park resort’s rides and monorail.
Florida lawmakers on Monday advanced a controversial bill that would require social media platforms to warn users under 18 that the platforms may harm their mental health. The proposed bill would also require social media companies to warn underage users that the platforms may have “addictive qualities” and “present unverified information.” Also, platforms would be obligated to warn minors that their data may be collected and shared.