REEDY CREEK IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Claude Kirk signed into law the legislation creating Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. Ron DeSantis signed into law the legislation abolishing the Reedy Creek Improvement District. For its part, Reedy Creek has not commented on the negotiations. “But, if Reedy Creek just goes away with no replacement, then local taxpayers will be on the hook.”Reedy Creek currently has about $1 billion in outstanding bonds. READ: End of Reedy Creek: Disney won’t pay more taxes, but you willVIDEO: First Reedy Creek lawsuit against DeSantis filed, but some question its strength First Reedy Creek lawsuit against DeSantis filed, but some question its strengthClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Reedy Creek Reedy Creek leaders met for the first time on Wednesday since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to dissolve the special district that governs Walt Disney World. (WFTV.com News Staff)ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The Reedy Creek Improvement District, the governing body overseeing Walt Disney World in Orlando, is moving forward with business as usual, despite its looming dissolution in 2023. Read: Gunman at large after person robbed, shot in Orange County, deputies sayClick here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.

Less than 11 months before the Reedy Creek Improvement District is scheduled to be abolished, there are still no announced plans to replace any of the governmental services the special taxing district currently provides to the Walt Disney World resort property.

You likely know John Morgan from billboards across Florida or from his commercials featuring the popular tagline "For The People."

The state of Florida’s impending dissolution of Walt Disney World’s (NYSE: DIS) Reedy Creek Improvement District has spiked trade activity among bond holders.

The man who deemed the recent fight between Disney and Florida politicians “like a really ugly middle school ugly middle school break up” sat down to talk with Florida’s Fourth Estate hosts Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin about the Reedy Creek Improvement District debacle.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference Tuesday at the University of Miami Health System.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that the state is likely to take over Walt Disney World’s special taxing district, removing the power the company has had to regulate much of what goes on within the 25,000 acres company founder Walt Disney purchased more than half a century ago.

Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated his promise that Florida's taxpayers will not take on Walt Disney World's debt when and if the Reedy Creek Improvement District dissolves in 2023, teasing that he may have some legislative measures in place to prevent that from happening.

While the company touted its gains to investors, it did not say anything about the dismantling of the special district that governs Walt Disney World.

A federal judge has tossed the first challenge to Florida's law dissolving Disney's Reedy Creek special district. The lawsuit filed on behalf of residents of...

Video: Democratic lawmakers speak out over decision to dissolve Reedy Creek Central Florida lawmakers said Monday that the financial impact on Orange and Osceola County property owners if Disney’s self-governing district is dissolved. (Shannon Butler, WFTV.com)ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The state’s move to repeal the Reedy Creek Improvement District at Walt Disney World Resort has cleared its first court battle. A judge dismissed the lawsuit against both the state and Gov. Ron DeSantis, which would have blocked the state from repealing Reedy Creek. READ: First Reedy Creek lawsuit against DeSantis filed, but some question its strengthThe judge said the claims are not “sufficiently mature” and is not “sufficiently defined and concrete, to permit effective decisionmaking by the court.”As expected, the Reedy Creek lawsuit against Gov.

Democratic state lawmakers are set to hold a news conference Monday morning to address the new Florida law which will dissolve six special districts in the state, including the Reedy Creek Improvement District which allows Walt Disney World to self-govern.

Reedy Creek Reedy Creek leaders met for the first time on Wednesday since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to dissolve the special district that governs Walt Disney World. (WFTV.com News Staff)ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Three Central Florida lawmakers plan to speak about ending Disney’s self-governing status. The governor signed off on a bill to end the Reedy Creek Improvement District after Disney criticized the Parental Rights in Education law. READ: What actions could Reedy Creek take after Florida ended its special tax district?

"We don't know where we are going," district official says of the state's feud with its biggest private employer.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis doubles down on Disney paying taxes.

The company is quietly pushing back after a dustup with DeSantis over LGBTQ rights.

The Walt Disney World complex's governing board says that when Florida created its special district, the state pledged not to alter that status unless all its debts are paid off.

Christina Pushaw said Disney would pay its fair share of taxes, no Floridians would be “on the hook” and a plan would be made available in the next few weeks.

The Clintons and the Obamas join more than 1,400 people at the funeral of America's top diplomat Madeleine Albright in Washington, DC. Albright rose from child refugee to the country's first female secretary of state and served as US ambassador to the United Nations. She died last month at 84.

Florida legislators’ passage of a bill to repeal Reedy Creek, the special district that governs Walt Disney World, has spawned satirical barbs on late-night talk shows and “Saturday Night Live.” And it has sparked debate among legal experts on whether the state can actually accomplish Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan.

Last week, a day before DeSantis signed the bill into law, the Reedy Creek Improvement District sent a statement to investors that said it would continue its financial operations as usual. “We have been told to stay quiet, don’t talk to the media, don’t engage with current events,” Shirey told supervisors. “Under no circumstances will Disney be able to not pay its debts, we will make sure of that,” DeSantis said. A downgrade would make borrowing more difficult for Reedy Creek. Under the law, Reedy Creek would expire by June 2023.

Last week, a day before DeSantis signed the bill into law, the Reedy Creek Improvement District sent a statement to investors that said it would continue its financial operations as usual. “We have been told to stay quiet, don’t talk to the media, don’t engage with current events,” Shirey told supervisors. “Under no circumstances will Disney be able to not pay its debts, we will make sure of that,” DeSantis said. A downgrade would make borrowing more difficult for Reedy Creek. Under the law, Reedy Creek would expire by June 2023.

The Board of Supervisors for Reedy Creek will meet for the first time since the state legislature voted to strip Disney of its self-governing power.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a second special legislative session, this time with the goal to address Florida's property insurance crisis which has seen many homeowners lose their insurance or see their premiums skyrocket.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Reedy Creek Improvement District administrator held a call with the fire department Monday afternoon. Firefighters said during the meeting, which lasted less than 10 minutes, they were not allowed to ask questions. Now, they will have to go outside the district if they can’t get answers about what this means for their careers. READ: What would dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek mean for local taxpayers? READ: End of Reedy Creek: Disney won’t pay more taxes, but you willNow, the union said the staffing could get worse with the uncertainty.

If the special taxing district is dissolved, Disney's nearly $1 billion debt obligations would shift to local taxpayers.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill aimed at dissolving a special taxing district that has granted Walt Disney World unique self-governing powers for...

If dissolved, the Reedy Creek Improvement District's debt obligations, revenues and responsibilities would be transferred to Osceola and Orange counties and the small cities of Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake.

Ron DeSantis accused Disney of trying to "commandeer our democratic process," while touting a new bill to strip the company of its autonomous governing status.

Ron DeSantis traveled to South Florida to sign, among other things, the bill that set into motion the dismantling of Disney’s 55-year-old Reedy Creek Improvement District. READ: DeSantis takes on Disney’s self-governance: Central Florida reactsSome Republicans, including DeSantis, appeared to realize the danger their early statements put them in. Stetson University Law Professor Paul Boudreaux added another advantage Florida would have: Disney would be challenging legislation voted on by a large group of people, each with their own motivations. “I’m fairly certain that Disney would have an excellent case, and a really great chance of winning a case,” he said. As of Friday afternoon, Disney had not commented on the law, or the company’s future plans.

The bill would eliminate the 55-year-old Reedy Creek Improvement District and other similar districts by June of next year.

The bill would eliminate the 55-year-old Reedy Creek Improvement District and other similar districts by June of next year.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Workers in Disney’s Reedy Creek are preparing for what could be a drastic shift with the elimination of the Reedy Creek Improvement District set to go into effect in June of next year. Firefighters say the cost to run the Reedy Creek Fire Department is a large chunk of the district’s $165 million budget. Of those, 200 work for Reedy Creek Fire. READ: ‘Political retribution’: Demings denounces decision to strip Disney’s self-governing power“The situation is so early in the process. Read: What would dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek mean for local taxpayers?

Ron DeSantis signed the bill to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District on Friday afternoon. Central Florida leaders on both sides of the political spectrum responded to the news. — Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) April 22, 2022READ: DeSantis signs bill to dissolve Disney’s self-governing powerRep. Randy FineBREAKING: Disney is a guest in Florida. — Scott Randolph (@ElectRandolph) April 20, 2022READ: End of Reedy Creek: Disney won’t pay more taxes, but you willRep. Carlos Guillermo SmithGood AM. #DontSayBlack pic.twitter.com/8zHwGlN2r6 — Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) April 22, 2022State Rep. Michael GriecoThe FL Legislature cannot unilaterally dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The entertainment giant has not commented publicly on the proposal to dissolve its government, which has been in operation for 55 years.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill to dissolve Walt Disney World’s private government, after the entertainment giant criticized a measure that critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The law would eliminate the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the 55-year-old Disney government is known, as well as a handful of other similar districts by June 2023. The measure does allow for the districts to be reestablished, leaving an avenue to renegotiate its future. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that eliminates special districts created before 1968, including Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Central Florida property owners may find themselves hurt by the fight between The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) versus Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Republicans over the future of the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Read: End of Reedy Creek: Disney won’t pay more taxes, but you willThe Florida House of Representatives on Thursday approved legislation to do away with some special districts, including Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.

The measure does allow for the districts to be reestablished, leaving an avenue for Disney and lawmakers to renegotiate their deal between now and June 2023. Disney is a major political player in Florida, as well as the rest of the country. In response to the gender instruction law, Disney announced it was suspending political donations in the state and would support organizations that oppose it. DeSantis has railed against Disney after the company's public opposition to the gender instruction law. “If Disney wants to pick a fight, they chose the wrong guy” the governor wrote in a fundraising email.

Orange and Osceola counties could take on a massive debt held by Disney if Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill revoking Disney World's special regulatory status.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Many experts closely following new state legislation on the verge of dissolving Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District wonder if an existing state statute may prevent the move. Read: End of Reedy Creek: Disney won’t pay more taxes, but you willIf the Legislature were to dissolve an active independent special district, Florida Statute 189.072 enacted in 2015 says the action must be approved by a majority of resident electors in the district or a majority of the governing landowners, etc. Ron DeSantis and do away with Reedy Creek by June 2023. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.

The measure does allow for the districts to be reestablished, leaving an avenue for Disney and lawmakers to renegotiate their deal between now and June 2023. Disney is a major political player in Florida, as well as the rest of the country. In response to the gender instruction law, Disney announced it was suspending political donations in the state and would support organizations that oppose it. DeSantis has railed against Disney after the company's public opposition to the gender instruction law. “If Disney wants to pick a fight, they chose the wrong guy” the governor wrote in a fundraising email.

The Florida Legislature has passed a bill to dissolve a private government controlled by Disney that provides municipal-like services for its 27,000 acres in the Sunshine State.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The decision over whether to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District lies in the hands of the governor. If it passes and actually happens down the line, it would dump Disney’s tax burden on us, the taxpayers. Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph said dissolving the district could be a massive financial burden for taxpayers. “The moment that Reedy Creek doesn’t exist is the moment that that those taxes don’t exist,” Randolph said. Read: What would dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek mean for local taxpayers?

This much is true: the Reedy Creek Improvement District is an extension of Disney that shields the company from oversight others have. READ: ‘Political retribution’: Demings denounces decision to strip Disney’s self-governing powerWhat Reedy Creek isn’t is a replacement for the counties it exists in. So, how does Reedy Creek operate its own fire and sewer departments? The special tax district status allows Disney to levy an additional tax on itself to pay for those services. What’s next for Reedy Creek“The moment that Reedy Creek doesn’t exist is the moment that that those taxes don’t exist,” Randolph said.

The bill seeking to repeal Disney's special tax status is the latest development in the company's fight with lawmakers over the "Don't Say Gay" bill.

The Walt Disney Co. is among Florida’s biggest employers and Walt Disney World has been a central part of the state’s public image for decades. Now, in a matter of days, the Florida legislature has passed a bill that could strip Disney of special privileges that for the last half-century have granted the company a measure of quasi-governmental authority over a giant tract of land that includes Disney World and other Disney properties. On April 21, the legislature sent the bill to Governor Ron De

Foglesong said dissolving Reedy Creek would mean all the services the district Disney normally provides would have to be paid for by either nearby local governments or by the state.

The Florida House of Representatives on Thursday cleared a bill that would repeal Disney's special improvement district, effective June 2023.

Disney’s influence in Florida has been a political issue before — but nothing like what we’re seeing today.

Dissolving the district would mean Reedy Creek employees and infrastructure would be absorbed by the local counties.

Placeholder while article actions loadFlorida’s Republican-led state legislature on Thursday passed a bill sought by Gov. Ron DeSantis to cancel Walt Disney World’s special tax district in Florida. That law prohibits discussions about gender-related issues in public school classes up to third grade, and potentially through high school. The Disney law will dissolve the entertainment giant’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was created in 1967 after Walt Disney bought 40 square miles of land in Central Florida to build the Magic Kingdom. Disney lobbyists said the project was too massive for local governments to handle, so legislators gave Disney the authority to run the development as a quasi-governmental agency.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday held a news conference at Destin Harbor Boardwalk in Okaloosa County to highlight an upcoming 57-day Gulf red snapper fishing season in Florida.

The Florida Senate already approved the special district bill on a largely party-line vote Wednesday, with one Republican joining all Democrats against the bill.

On Wednesday, the Florida Senate voted 23 to 16 to eliminate the Reedy Creek Improvement District, dealing a major blow to Disney and by extension, taxpayers in Central Florida.

Dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District would be a financial burden on the county, according to Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph.

Walt Disney World On Wednesday, the Florida Senate voted 23 to 16 to eliminate the Reedy Creek Improvement District, dealing a major blow to Disney and by extension, taxpayers in Central Florida. (WFTV.com News Staff)ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — On Wednesday, the Florida Senate voted 23 to 16 to eliminate the Reedy Creek Improvement District, dealing a major blow to Disney and by extension, taxpayers in Central Florida. The billion dollars in bonds that Reedy Creek holds will mature as late as 2036. READ: What would dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek mean for local taxpayers? While Orange County would acquire Disney’s land and debt, there wouldn’t be that much additional money for the county.

Disney's Government Eastern seaboard architecture of turn of the century America is being recreated in Main Street U.S.A., at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 1970. Republican Rep. Randy Fine, sponsor of the bill to scrap the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the Disney government entity is known, said it is time for a change. It targets the Walt Disney Co.,” Fine said. Along with a theme park, Disney officials led by Roy Disney, Walt’s brother, told Florida lawmakers in 1967 that they planned to build a futuristic city — the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, also known as Epcot. On any given day, as many as 350,000 people are on Disney World property as theme park visitors, overnight hotel guests or employees.

The idea was presented to Florida lawmakers in a movie house outside Orlando 55 years ago: Let Disney form its own government and in exchange it would create a futuristic city of tomorrow.

The Florida Senate voted Wednesday to eliminate Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, alongside districts populated by Black Democrats, backing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed redistricting plan.

The vote marks the latest escalation of DeSantis' battle with the entertainment giant over Florida's new "Don't Say Gay" law.

Mayor Jerry Demings said leaders in Orange County are closely watching developments in Tallahassee after Republican lawmakers introduced legislation that would strip Walt Disney World of its special governing powers.

The Florida Senate voted to strip Walt Disney World of its independent government during a special session on Wednesday. If signed into law by Gov....

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation that allows the GOP-controlled statehouse to take up bills eliminating Disney's self-governing district.

His feud marked the latest escalation of his feud with the entertainment giant over Florida's new "Don't Say Gay" law.

His feud marked the latest escalation of his feud with the entertainment giant over Florida's new "Don't Say Gay" law.

His feud marked the latest escalation of his feud with the entertainment giant over Florida's new "Don't Say Gay" law.

More than 50 years later, the possible dissolution of the government that came from it, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, is equally unprecedented. READ: DeSantis: Florida lawmakers to consider ending Disney’s self-governing power during special sessionFor Disney, the main effect is more red tape. Reedy Creek employees and infrastructure would likely be absorbed by the counties, which would become responsible for things like sewer and road maintenance. Reedy Creek historically operates at a loss of approximately $5 to $10 million per year, per its financial reports. Reedy Creek, he said, was not created during a special session.

A new piece of legislation could see the Reedy Creek Improvement District, along with five other special districts, dissolved if it passes.

The bill falls in line with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to expand the redistricting special session to include the special districts bill.

Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded a special legislative session to consider eliminating a decades-old governing district set up for Disney World.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday the state legislature would be taking up a bill during their special session that would look to dissolve six special districts in the state, including the Reedy Creek Improvement District which governs Walt Disney World.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking the Legislature to repeal a law allowing Walt Disney World to operate a private government over its properties in the state.

News 6 political expert Jim Clark weighs in on a special session in Florida that could do away with the Reedy Creek District at Disney World.

Florida lawmakers currently debating congressional maps proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in a special session will now also consider getting rid of special districts enacted before 1968, which includes Disney’s Reedy Creek district, the governor announced Tuesday at a news conference in The Villages.

The rights of Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney's own government, are now being discussed among some Florida lawmakers following controversy surrounding the company's response to Gov. DeSantis' "Don't Say Gay" bill.

A Reedy Creek representative said the timeline for Grants illness doesnt fall into the accepted CDC guideline of two to 17 days because he started showing symptoms 24 hours after contact with the paramedics. The Reedy Creek communications manager told News 6, We did pull all the EMS reports from June 23 (a week prior to the first person showing symptoms). Reedy Creek paramedics Steven Provost and Brian Astleford were on the June 29 call to Disney Springs and tested positive for the coronavirus four days later. Were on the front lines dealing with COVID everyday, Grant told News 6. They are a lot of employers in Florida simply saying you cant prove you contracted this disease on the job.

ORLANDO, Fla. First responders with the Reedy Creek Improvement District have launched a legal battle to collect workers compensation benefits after being tested and diagnosed with COVID-19. Michael Grant, a paramedic with Reedy Creek since 2018, tested positive with the virus on the job on July 3 and quarantined at home for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended 14 days. I have a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old and obviously they were my biggest concern.Before working with Reedy Creek, Grant worked for the city of Palm Coast and the Seminole County Fire Department. Records confirm he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on July 3, one day after he was on his shift with Reedy Creek. Despite his contention that he was infected on the job, he was denied workers compensation benefits and because of a unique policy, was forced to use his own personal sick leave.

Federal prosecutors now confirm that Mateen was also considering an attack at the resort’s Disney Springs entertainment district, which was formerly known as Downtown Disney. The government believes Mateen’s wife, Noor Salman, assisted her husband in carrying out the terror attack at Pulse nightclub. A News 6 investigation recently revealed an unprecedented surge in outside law enforcement presence at Walt Disney World. The Reedy Creek Improvement District has allocated $5.6 million to pay for off-duty deputies throughout the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. That new budget nearly quadruples the $1.5 million the Disney-controlled government allocated for off-duty deputies annually from 2011 through 2016.

DISNEY SPRINGS, Fla. – Firefighters and emergency service providers working for Reedy Creek Improvement District, protested a stalled contract negotiations Sunday by picketing at the Disney Springs reopening. "The new parking garage built for Disney Springs by the Reedy Creek government cost much more than treating their employees fairly," said Tim Stromsnes, president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association. Stromsnes heads the labor association representing the firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and fire inspectors who provide fire protection and emergency medical services for all Disney owned properties, including the parks and resorts. "If the Disney owned government does not want to work with us, they can impose the contract they want on us with no repercussions from actual voters." Disney World controls around 17,000 votes on its own, well over the 50 percent threshold to win any election.