This brings me such joy.
The Orlando Sentinel reports:
Gov. Ron DeSantis' handpicked board overseeing Disney World's government services is gearing up for a potential legal battle over a 30-year development agreement they say effectively renders them powerless to manage the entertainment giant's future growth in Central Florida.
Ahead of an expected state takeover, the Walt Disney Co. quietly pushed through the pact and restrictive covenants that would tie the hands of future board members for decades, according to a legal presentation by the district's lawyers on Wednesday.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District's new Board of Supervisors voted to bring in outside legal firepower to examine the agreement, including a conservative Washington, D.C., law firm that has defended several of Gov. Ron DeSantis' culture war priorities.
Orlando's ABC affiliate reports:
WFTV worked with an independent attorney who specializes in government law to analyze the agreement Wednesday morning. Upon initial review, the attorney said the agreement appeared to be valid. "I'm struggling to find a reason why it's unlawful," the attorney said, noting the type of agreement struck was normal between large developers and governments, it was properly noticed and Reedy Creek's leadership willingly entered into it.
The unusual part, the attorney said, was the powers the agreement locked in. However, the attorney noted nothing about the existing structure of Reedy Creek was normal and, in that context, the agreement made sense. They also said Reedy Creek and Florida lawmakers could run into constitutional issues if they tried to undo the agreement since governments can't impair existing contracts.
Orlando's NBC affiliate reports:
Particular focus was paid to one section that board members said locked in development rights of a particular parcel until 21 years after the death of the youngest current descendant of King Charles, or until Disney abandons the resort. "We gave governmental control to Disney," new board member Brian Aungst summarized. Other board members were harsher in their assessment. "Disney tried to be king for a day," Chairman Martin Garcia said. Garcia referenced taking it all the way to the United States Supreme Court if necessary.
