Residents of Osceola County have taken legal action against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his plans to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID), according to a report.
The residents are accusing DeSantis of violating Disney’s First Amendment rights to free speech after the Sunshine State governor admitted that the law to dissolve Reedy Creek has stemmed from Disney’s stance in support of LGBTQIA+ communities.
In the lawsuit, taxpayers argue that Floridians will be burdened with at least $1 billion in Disney’s bond debt if the state follows through with its plan to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The $1 billion in Disney’s bond debt would be placed on Floridians and likely on residents of Orange County and Osceola County. Local officials say that would result in a historic tax hike on residents, according to Hollywood reporter.
“It is without question that Defendant Governor DeSantis intended to punish Disney for a 1st Amendment protected ground of free speech,” reads the lawsuit. “Defendant’s violation of Disney’s 1st Amendment rights directly resulted in a violation of Plaintiffs’ 14th Amendment rights to due process of law.”
Nevertheless, Governor Ron DeSantis says that he working on a plan and will unveil it in the coming weeks. Disney is reportedly working behind the scenes to attempt to keep much of their special taxing district in place while helping DeSantis save face in a situation that a majority of Americans do not support.
