"DeSantis appeared to have bitten off more than he could chew..." - Guardian
"At the heart of the DeSantis v Disney dispute is something much bigger than both of them: the reignited and intensifying culture wars in America. DeSantis, with his eyes fixed on attracting Donald Trump’s base, has positioned himself as an extreme culture warrior.
Disney’s top boss, Bob Iger – as the head of a vast corporation – wants a diverse clientele and has little interest in such positions and an active antipathy to DeSantis’s actions." - The Guardian
When did the GOP start using culture wars to bully businesses? Do corporations have freedom of speech for making political donations, but nothing else? Why is DeSantis attacking Disney, one of the biggest employers in Florida? How many people does DisneyWorld employ in Florida? How much does it pay in taxes? Follow along with this StoryMap.
Republicans wage culture war on businesses
DeSantis anti-business
Disney sued DeSantis and other government officials last month, accusing them of retaliating against the company for engaging in exercising its constitutional rights last year when it criticized a Florida law that bars classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. Iger accused Florida of being “anti-business.”
Disney CEO Bob Iger escalated the war of words with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week by hinting Disney World might drop plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 new jobs over the next decade. “Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people and pay more taxes or not?” Iger said Wednesday during a call with investors. - MSN
DeSantis-Disney battle
The DeSantis-Disney battle began with Florida’s discriminatory March 2022 parental rights in education legislation, dubbed “don’t say gay”, that banned classroom teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. The controversial legislation – mimicked by other rightwing state governments across the US and condemned by liberals – was enhanced with separate bills passed by Florida’s Republican-dominated legislature on gender-transition treatments, bathroom use and keeping children out of drag shows.
DeSantis appeared to have bitten off more than he could chew... DeSantis said he would try to change state law to open Disney World – the state’s largest employer – up to new inspections and threatened to build a prison next to the 43 sq mile family-friendly theme park. That came after DeSantis signed legislation cancelling Disney’s control of a special tax district, known as the Reedy Creek improvement district, within which Disney World sits, that allowed it to maintain its own police and fire departments, planning powers and some other public functions. - The Guardian
Really Goofy
DeSantis tells Disney to 'take a hike'
"The clash between Florida and its largest employer started last year when the state passed a new law that limited classroom instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity. Disney objected to the bill and vowed to help get it repealed. DeSantis responded by targeting the Reedy Creek Improvement District. On Thursday, DeSantis said Disney could “take a hike” if it didn’t like how the state was governing." - CNN
TakeAway: Stop politicians ready to bully companies for their political ambitions. Mickey packs a punch!
Deepak
DemLabs
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