Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill, Friday, revoking Disney’s special self-governing status in the state. This applies to areas around its theme parks in Orlando and revokes the special tax privileges that Disney has enjoyed in the state since the 1960s. 

DeSantis said, “They have the ability to build a nuclear power plant without state consent if they want”, as per NBC, adding, “No individual or no company in Florida is treated this way, and it’s not right to have this similar treatment but you know they had exercised a lot of power over the years.” 

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The Florida governor’s move is considered to be retaliation against Disney’s criticism of the new education law passed by the state administration. DeSantis targeted Disney, which is one of the largest employers in the state after he was targeted by company executives over signing a bill preventing classroom instruction on issues like sexual orientation and sexual orientation, from kindergarten to the third grade. 

Republican party members in the Florida legislature responded with this bill, which comes into effect on June 1, 2023. 

While signing the bill, DeSantis said, “You’re a corporation based in Burbank, California, and you’re gonna marshal your economic might to attack the parents of my state. We view that as a provocation, and we’re going to fight back against that”, Fox reported. 

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Disney had earlier released a statement, critiquing Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The House of Mouse commented, “Florida’s HB 1557, also known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, should never have passed and should never have been signed into law”, adding, “Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that. We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country.”