Disney Is Stepping Up On Lobbying Effort In Florida

People familiar with the matter say that Disney is ready to intensify its fight against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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In the last weeks of the Florida legislative session, Disney is encouraging lobbyists to focus more on land use bills that could hurt the company, among other measures, and to lobby the Republican-controlled state legislature. A person who declined to be named requested freedom of expression and said Disney is pushing lobbyists to step up their efforts to influence the Republican-controlled state legislature.

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Neither Disney nor its spokesman would comment on the lobbying.

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Last year, Disney challenged DeSantis over a Florida bill critics dubbed "Don't Say Gay," which bans instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade.

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As a result, Disney's allied panel signed a long-lasting development agreement with the governor that severely limits his control before DeSantis could strip Disney of its self-governing status and replace the board that managed it. According to DeSantis, lawmakers are drafting legislation that will invalidate that agreement.

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DeSantis' salvos against the company have increasingly come under scrutiny from Republican officials and business leaders. The former presidents of New Jersey and New York, as well as former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, who could be DeSantis's 2024 rivals, all criticized DeSantis' battle with the company.

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According to Disney, affordable housing will be available around Disney World in 2026 after DeSantis suggested he wanted to build a prison near the park.

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Disney should not respond to DeSantis' threats of retribution at a news conference held Monday by Republican Florida state senator Blaise Ingoglia.

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There's one thing I'd like Disney to know: you won't win this fight. This governor will," Ingoglia said. "One thing I'd like Disney to know: just let it go."

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A DeSantis-appointed special governing district board would have circumvented DeSantis, DeSantis promised at the same event.

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According to a person with direct knowledge of the matter, Disney executives called lobbyists to watch Florida bills that could hurt the company and to fight them aggressively shortly after DeSantis’ remarks on Monday. According to this person, DeSantis’ remarks have sparked a special interest in fighting land use legislation.

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Disney lobbyists are closely watching CS/SB 1604: Land Use and Development Regulations, according to this person, who was not authorized to speak publicly about Disney's plans. A similar bill was introduced in the state House by Ingoglia and was introduced in the Senate by Ingoglia.

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Disney could be affected by amendments introduced in both chambers. Under these measures, the Disney district governing body, which was recently appointed by DeSantis, would be allowed to review any development agreements and vote on whether to readopt the original development deal, such as the DeSantis-appointed Disney governing body.

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It was reported on Tuesday that both amendments were filed following DeSantis' press conference hammering Disney.

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Despite the latest moves by DeSantis and his allies, Disney and CEO Bob Iger seem unfazed.

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It is possible that Disney CEO Iger is hoping a new lobbying drive against DeSantis and allies will convince enough Republicans to oppose the governor's actions. Having won a supermajority in the state legislature, DeSantis effectively controls it.

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The Florida governor's potential rivals in a presidential primary have taken advantage of the controversy to rip him. Donald Trump, a potential presidential candidate, and Chris Christie, another potential candidate for the presidency in 2024, have both ripped DeSantis.

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Moreover, Disney is planning to announce that no more money will be invested in Florida as a result of the Governor. As a response to DeSantis' latest fight with the company, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that the company may even announce a slow withdrawal or sale of certain properties or even a complete sale. He provided no evidence that the company would take those steps.

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DeSantis has been ranked second behind Trump in early GOP primary polls. The ex-president has had an impressive lead in recent polls.

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As a result of the Disney feud, DeSantis may lose donors as well. In the past, Republican megadonors backed DeSantis strongly for 2024 GOP, but have recently called his allies to warn them they might not support him in the presidential race, a longtime DeSantis ally says. The group said they would support Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., instead, this individual said.

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A possible solution to the protracted conflict may lie in the possibility of Iger making amends with DeSantis before his latest attack.

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Despite what some might think, he doesn't see this as going to sleep. He said that if the governor of Florida wishes to meet with him for a discussion, he would be happy to do so.

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