Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has escalated his feud with Disney, threatening to impose taxes on its hotels and roads that lead to the theme park.
He also promised to strip the company of its control over development in a district that oversees its property.
“We are going to win on every single issue involving Disney,” he announced at a speech in Michigan.
The threat is the latest in the state’s ongoing dispute with the company.
Mr DeSantis is widely expected to run in the 2024 presidential election and is seen as a front-runner Republican candidate.
His dispute with the entertainment giant began when Disney criticised the state’s Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
The measure bans education about sexual orientation and gender identity for pupils aged nine and under. Mr DeSantis has pushed to expand the legislation to cover all grades.
Since Disney expressed opposition to the policy, Mr DeSantis has pushed for more governmental control over its Orlando theme parks.
For over 50 years, the Walt Disney World territory operated within Florida’s Reedy Creek Improvement District and essentially functioned as a self-governing area, controlling utilities and a fire department.
In a speech at conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan on Thursday, Mr DeSantis called Disney “a joke”.
“They are not superior to the people of Florida,” he said. “Ultimately, we’re going to win on every single issue involving Disney, I can tell you that.”
In February, Mr DeSantis signed a bill subjecting the company to more layers of oversight through a five-member state-appointed board. (BBC)
