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DeS to Disney: War’s not over!

After Bob Iger’s (inset) Disney outmaneuvered Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over control of huge tracts of land around Disney’s resorts DeSantis vowed to kee fighting against the entertainment behemoth.

By ARIEL ZILBER

'You ain’t seen nothing yet. ’ — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is warning the Walt Disney Co. that he has unfinished business with the Mouse House.

The Republican governor reacted Thursday to news that Disney’s autonomous local board effectively stripped its successor of power just a day before the Legislature gave DeSantis the authority to take over the body.

A secret deal forged between Disney and the now-defunct Reedy Creek Improvement District is being scrutinized by the DeSantis administration, which is examining whether it is legal.

“There’s a lot of little back-and-forth going on now with the state control,” DeSantis said during a book stop tour in Smyrna, Ga., Thursday, where the audience booed at the mention of Disney.

“But rest assured — you ain’t seen nothing yet,” DeSantis said. “There’s more to come in that regard.”

The agreement that was secretly forged between Reedy Creek and Disney keeps the company’s power to develop the 27,000 acres (42 square miles) of land that is home to its Florida theme parks and resorts.

DeSantis’ office circulated a letter from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office, which is seeking documents, emails and text messages from former members of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, according to Insider.

The Reedy Creek Improvement District is the Disney-dominated board that has long managed the company’s theme parks and resorts near Orlando.

It was created more than a half-century ago as part of efforts to entice Disney, which is one of Florida’s largest private employers, to build attractions that would boost tourism.

DeSantis last month signed into law a measure dissolving Reedy Creek after Disney declared its opposition to the socalled “Don’t Say Gay” law, which puts limits on sex and gender education of youngsters.

A spokesperson for the company released a statement this week denying that it acted improperly.

BUSINESS

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2023-04-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-04-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://nypost.pressreader.com/article/282205130152825

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