The legislation, launched in a particular legislative session, offers DeSantis the facility to nominate all 5 board members of the previously named Reedy Creek Enchancment District, pending senate approval. The laws additionally removes among the district’s sweeping powers however retains in place its obligation to about $1 billion of excellent bonds.

The brand new board will “ensure the debt is retired correctly, possibly even accelerating retiring the debt,” DeSantis stated in a press convention in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, a part of the 38.5 sq. miles (99.7 sq. kilometers) of land that homes Disney’s Florida theme parks. 

DeSantis, 44, says he want to see the particular district dissolved altogether sooner or later so long as there’s “no burden to taxpayers.”

The district was additionally renamed by the legislation and can now be known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. 

DeSantis introduced the make-up of the brand new five-person governing board that’s anticipated to satisfy for the primary time subsequent week. The brand new chair might be Martin Garcia, a Tampa-based businessman, he stated.

DeSantis pushed for the brand new construction for the board after a dispute final 12 months between Disney and the governor over the corporate’s critique of a legislation he supported that restricted dialogue of gender identification and sexual orientation in public faculties. 

“We would like our youngsters to have the ability to take pleasure in leisure with out having an agenda imposed on them,” DeSantis stated.

His feud towards Disney is a component of a bigger technique to bolster his nationwide presence forward of an anticipated 2024 presidential bid, which DeSantis hasn’t but introduced. He’s launching a ebook this week and met with 150 donors in Palm Seashore over the weekend, whereas focusing on what he’s ridiculed as a so-called woke agenda supporting environmental, social and governance principals.