Ron DeSantis appoints co-author of the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill to the new governing district of Walt Disney World

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Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

Posted: Monday February 27, 2023 10:51m ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Bridget Ziegler, one of the authors of Florida's controversial Parental Bill of Rights law, has been appointed as one of five board members on the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, replacing the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The appointment of Zeigler appears to double down on the state's retaliation against Disney for their opposition to the Parental Bill of Rights, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill.

Another member of the new board is Ron Peri, a former senior pastor of Evangel Baptist Church and now CEO of The Gathering, which describes itself as a "way to reach and disciple men from all walks of life."

Rounding out the new new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, are Martin Garcia, Brian Aungst and Mike Sasso, all lawyers. Garcia is a big donor to the Florida Republican Party who donated heavily to the Friends of Ron DeSantis PAC in 2022.

Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

The bill that DeSantis has signed today at Walt Disney World's Reedy Creek Fire Station 4 replaces the governing body's board with five members appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In addition, the Reedy Creek Improvement District will be renamed "Central Florida Tourism Oversight District." Disney will be responsible for paying hundreds of millions in outstanding Reedy Creek debt.

Reedy Creek Improvement District overview

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castlecake2.06 days ago

Yes

Stripes6 days ago

Has Disney/CFTOD continued to replace the purple direction signage with the new blue color scheme since CFTOD took over?

mkt7 days ago

You're right. The new document will be different. It will be "different" in the way that Chris Gaines was "different" from Garth Brooks or how the drummer from Nirvana is "different" from the singer of the Foo Fighters.

Unbanshee7 days ago

Both are effectively picked by the Governor, just not technically. Look no further than the communications "strategy" with the replacement of Gilzean of the Governor's office getting out ahead of every single step of the process

lazyboy97o7 days ago

The settlement acknowledged the “need” to change the comprehensive plan, which undermines this idea. So too does the lack of an agreement, as the 2032 Comprehensive Plan wasn’t that different than the again in force 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

Brian7 days ago

That's understandable for sure. I just felt inclined to make the distinction due to the ongoing conversation, as the district administrator is selected by the board, while the board is selected by the governor.

mkt7 days ago

The new agreement will be functionally the same as the one Disney was sued over.

pdude817 days ago

You're right. This has been going on so long I just lumped all the antagonists together.

Brian7 days ago

Not to nitpick, but Gilzean was district administrator, not a board member.

pdude817 days ago

A bigger risk than keeping Garcia and Gilzean on the board as active disruptors? I don't agree with their decision to stall the federal lawsuit, but I understand why they saw the status quo as a risk to growth over the next few years.

lazyboy97o7 days ago

You don’t think dropping your bargaining power in the middle is the best strategy in a negotiation?

flynnibus7 days ago

Again… we know nothing except both sides have shown signs of positive attitude and certainty of successful outcomes. What does that mean? None if us know. All we can speculate is… they know a lot more than they have said publicly… and obvious things like "desantis is not perpetual…" were clearly obvious to them when they made these choices.

UNCgolf7 days ago

That seems wildly optimistic.

flynnibus7 days ago

“Right now…” Yes, we all know this. But again, we don’t know what back room deal they have setup. Who knows… it could even include new legislation promises… Or Disney is just rolling with the hand they are dealt… maybe they have accepted that the time to sunset their advantages of rcid is here… none of us can tell what their true intentions are right now.