Bob Iger Addresses Why Disney Is Important to the State of Florida

As the tension continues to heat up between the state of Florida and The Walt Disney Company, hear how Disney CEO Bob Iger weighs in on why Florida needs Disney.

Tension Between Florida and Disney

The past several months have been turbulent between the state of Florida and The Walt Disney Company. Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education Law in 2022.

Over the past several months, the tension between the company and the state continued to worsen as state Republicans repealed the Reedy Creek Improvement Act of 1967. Essentially, the law states that Disney is its own governing body in the two cities and land within Orange and Osceola counties.

The district is now officially resolved, and a new board will oversee its operations. In the press conference, DeSantis made some pretty shocking statements regarding the takeover. You can read those in this post. You can read more about the investigation that DeSantis is spearheading for “legal or ethical violations” HERE.

Bob Iger Speaks Out

Today during an Annual Shareholder’s meeting, Bob Iger answered questions from Disney shareholders. One question pertained to the possible tax increases for Florida residents with the dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement Act.

Bob Iger stated that although The Walt Disney Company did not handle the response to the Parental Rights in Education Law in the best way, he does feel that DeSantis is punishing the Walt Disney Company for practicing free speech.

Iger went on to share why the state of Florida needs the Walt Disney Company in their state. Currently, there are 75,000 Cast Members and additional jobs at Walt Dinsey World. The Walt Disney World Resort draws in 50 million visitors each year and 8 million visitors from other countries.

Walt Disney World Resort is teh largest tax payer in the state of Florida. Iger shares that Disney has plans to invest over 17 Billion dollars in Walt Disney World that will create 13,000 additional jobs.

Bob Iger stated that although the Walt Disney Company did not handle the response to the Parental Rights in Education Law in the best way, he does feel that DeSantis is punishing the Walt Disney Company for practicing free speech.

These statistics are staggering and does validate the need for Walt Disney World in the state of Florida. The company provides both jobs and huge tourism revenues for the state.

What do you think of this battle between the Walt Disney Company and the state of Florida? Do you think Florida needs Walt Disney World? What do you think will be included in this 17 billion dollar investment at Walt Disney World? Share your thoughts in the comments below.