DeSantis' Central Florida Tourism Oversight District lawsuit against Disney to go before judge today

Jul 14, 2023 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

Posted: Friday July 14, 2023 1:09pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A judge will hear arguments today from the legal teams of Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

The CFTOD board unanimously passed a motion on May 1 2023, to sue the Walt Disney Company in a Florida state court. This is in contrast to Disney's lawsuit against DeSantis and the board, which was filed in a federal court.

In announcing the lawsuit, Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board chair Martin Garcia said, "Since Disney sued us, we have no choice now but to respond. This district will seek justice in state court here in Central Florida, where both it and Disney reside and do business. Yes, we'll seek justice in our own backyard."

Garcia says the state court lawsuit will seek to "uphold and enforce the board's April 26, 2023 legislative findings relating to the February 8, 2023 development agreement and declaration of restrictive covenants."

The Walt Disney Company filed a motion on May 16 to dismiss or stay the state lawsuit brought about by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Disney argues that recent actions taken by the state have rendered the litigation irrelevant. Disney also says that Florida law mandates the state court to put the lawsuit on hold until the company's federal case against Governor Ron DeSantis is resolved.

In the motion filed in Florida state court, Disney's lawyers argue that the federal action Disney filed against DeSantis last month involves similar parties and overlapping issues, and the federal case should be the primary court for resolving the dispute.

Disney's federal April 26, 2023 lawsuit was filed in response to Governor DeSantis' attempts to replace the Reedy Creek Improvement District with his own hand-picked board. Disney's lawsuit says that DeSantis' actions violated its First Amendment and other constitutional rights, alleging they were motivated by retaliation due to the company's opposition to the so-called "don't say gay" law related to parental rights in schools.

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mkt9 days ago

Something something gabagool something

MisterPenguin9 days ago

Ohh? Talkin' bout Wegman's are we? The pastrami?... To die fohr.

Figgy110 days ago

It's pronounced Joisey;)

JoeCamel10 days ago

I can hear the accent in that post

Figgy110 days ago

When in the Orlando area we usually shop at Whole Foods over Publix

dmc49310 days ago

@Figgy1 those there are fighting words, bring it on

Figgy110 days ago

Wegmans is much better than Publix for just about everything

LAKid5310 days ago

You needed to go to the #1 party school. 😉 The Publix next to FSU's campus...and right across from fraternity row...was quite buzzing on Wednesday nights. I learned quickly to avoid it on that night.

Comped10 days ago

Really? I've never heard of that and I've been to multiple Publixes around UCF campuses while a student haha.

Captain Barbossa10 days ago

Lucky Florida. All the Publix’s in my area are where the local senior swinger clubs convene 🤢

MisterPenguin10 days ago

That's a Florida wedding shoot.

mkt10 days ago

Brian10 days ago

Sir, this is a Publix thread.

eddie10410 days ago

What good does DeSantis provide being in the Senate ? His personality is as lackluster as his policies and with Trump back in the White House his political future is based on his success. Nobody is gonna be checking for those type of politicians any longer if the next four years turns out be garbage.