Disney delays thousands of Florida jobs with DeSantis feud as backdrop – Tallahassee Democrat
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office moved quickly Thursday to dismiss speculation that a simmering feud over controversial legislation has anything to do with the Walt Disney Co. delay in moving 2,000 high-paying jobs to Central Florida.
The relocation of Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products division from California to a Lake Nona campus was originally expected to occur at the end of this year, but has been pushed back to 2026.
A Disney spokesperson tells the Los Angeles Times the delay is unrelated to any dispute between the company and Florida over the education law dubbed by critics the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which goes into effect next month.
But the Times also reported, that explanation rings hollow with Disney’s California workers.
Jim Shull, a former Disney Imagineer, tweeted that the delay appeared to be an example of Disney “sticking it to” DeSantis and a “result of Californians stating they won’t move to Florida.”
Ninety percent of the jobs to be relocated to Florida are Imagineers. The average pay for the positions is $120,000 annually.
Tension between Disney and Florida erupted in March when the company protested the Parental Rights in Education Act, which opponents said is hostile to gay students. It prohibits classroom discussion of sexuality before grade 4 and allows parents to sue and recover costs for violations.
Republican lawmakers responded to the company’s criticism in April by stripping Disney of its self-governing authority over its Florida parks and resorts.
Disney did not publicly respond to the Legislature’s move at the time, other than to tell investors it was studying its options.
“I would hesitate to make any assumptions about the reasons for this delay. The governor has not discussed it with Disney. We will not comment on anonymous rumors and speculation,” said DeSantis’ spokeswoman Christina Pushaw.
The repeal of the Reedy Creek Improvement District is not effective until June 2023, after the November election when a new Legislature will be elected, DeSantis is running for reelection.
DeSantis Vs. Disney:
And while Disney tells reporters it wants “to give people more time” to accommodate a construction schedule, political scientist Charles Zelden said the delay allows Disney to position itself for 2023 when lawmakers will work on implementing the bill to repeal Reedy Creek.
“This is definitely Disney showing leverage – a quiet reminder to the governor that it brings jobs to a state that needs jobs to employ its citizens,” said Zelden, who teaches political science at Nova Southeastern University in Davie.
Disney plans call for construction of up to 1.8 million square feet of office space on about 60 acres near Lake Nona’s Medical Center. The project could net the company more than $570 million in Florida tax breaks if it produces 2,000 jobs.
Wednesday’s announcement means those jobs and accompanying tax breaks will be delayed for at least three years.
James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahassee
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