Disney lawsuit dismissed

[seminole97]

A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Walt Disney’s lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of a state board for allegedly retaliating after the company criticized state limits on classroom discussion of sexuality.

DeSantis and other defendants had urged U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida, to dismiss the case because Disney could not sue them over constitutionally enacted state laws. Winsor was nominated by then-President Donald Trump in 2019 to fill a vacancy.

“Disney lacks standing to sue the Governor or the Secretary,” the judge said in his ruling, according to a court filing. The company’s claims against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight district board also fail because “when a statute is facially constitutional, a plaintiff cannot bring a free-speech challenge by claiming that the lawmakers who passed it acted with a constitutionally impermissible purpose.”

DeSantis’s office and the Florida oversight board did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A Disney spokesperson said: “This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here.

 

[BelemNole]

Trump appointee and Federalist Society member? Who would have thought...

 

[mnole03]

“when a statute is facially constitutional, a plaintiff cannot bring a free-speech challenge by claiming that the lawmakers who passed it acted with a constitutionally impermissible purpose.”

This clearly isn’t the standard with other first Amendment protections. Legislative history has repeatedly been used in religious discrimination cases.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

This surprises me. So the holding is a governor or legislature can single out a specific company for the worst possible reason, but as long as the law itself passes constitutional muster impermissible motives of the Governor and Legislature are irrelevant.

Haven’t thought it through, but couldn’t you make an equal protection argument?

 

[seminole97]

This surprises me. So the holding is a governor or legislature can single out a specific company for the worst possible reason, but as long as the law itself passes constitutional muster impermissible motives of the Governor and Legislature are irrelevant.

Haven’t thought it through, but couldn’t you make an equal protection argument?

Disney has a right to run an Improvement District?

I imagine Universal would want to exercise that right. I could see Walmart and Amazon being interested too.

 

[Joes Place]

This surprises me. So the holding is a governor or legislature can single out a specific company for the worst possible reason, but as long as the law itself passes constitutional muster impermissible motives of the Governor and Legislature are irrelevant.

Haven’t thought it through, but couldn’t you make an equal protection argument?

"Make campaign donations to us, or we will put you out of business. Federalist Society says this is OK"

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Disney has a right to run an Improvement District?

I imagine Universal would want to exercise that right. I could see Walmart and Amazon being interested too.

Right? No. Did I say it was a right?

But, Reedy Creek was created through a validly enacted law. The Legislature and Governor can change the law. And apparently it’s no problem that the change in law was retribution for speaking up.

 

[seminole97]

Right? No. Did I say it was a right?

The ‘equal protection’ reference is where I thought you meant that.

These things strike me as rank favoritism. I don’t know how else to look at it when competitors don’t enjoy whatever the advantages are.

But, Reedy Creek was created through a validly enacted law. The Legislature and Governor can change the law. And apparently it’s no problem that the change in law was retribution for speaking up.

Lays bare the favoritism, doesn’t it?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

The ‘equal protection’ reference is where I thought you meant that.

These things strike me as rank favoritism. I don’t know how else to look at it when competitors don’t enjoy whatever the advantages are.


Lays bare the favoritism, doesn’t it?

Wait, you believe they changed the law to level the playing field? After 56 years, the Reedy Creek Special Improvement District was all of a sudden a pressing problem that needed to be fixed asap?

 

[Chishawk1425]

The ‘equal protection’ reference is where I thought you meant that.

These things strike me as rank favoritism. I don’t know how else to look at it when competitors don’t enjoy whatever the advantages are.


Lays bare the favoritism, doesn’t it?

Get help.

 

[seminole97]

Wait, you believe they changed the law to level the playing field?

No, I think these kind of laws only make the playing field uneven.

After 56 years, the Reedy Creek Special Improvement District was all of a sudden a pressing problem that needed to be fixed asap?

Disney makes an interesting case for corporate self rule, don't they?
The most fascinating thing about this is seeing people argue this corporation should be allowed to self rule.

Do you think anyone will require Musk to get an Improvement District passed for Mars?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

No, I think these kind of laws only make the playing field uneven.


Disney makes an interesting case for corporate self rule, don't they?
The most fascinating thing about this is seeing people argue this corporation should be allowed to self rule.

Do you think anyone will require Musk to get an Improvement District passed for Mars?

Ah, are we arguing for preserving Disney’s special district status or crying foul over the manner and circumstances under which it was changed? There’s a difference.

Also, how many of Florida’s, what, 1,000+ special districts have been similarly targeted for this much-needed reform?

 

[LBoogie28]

Do you think anyone will require Musk to get an Improvement District passed for Mars?

Sure. Hopefully he starts with improving the atmosphere.

 

[Joes Place]

Sure. Hopefully he starts with improving the atmosphere.

Mebbe the Boring Company can dig down to re-install a protective magnetic field for Mars.
Once that Easy Peasy task is done, they can start rebuilding an atmosphere...

 

[seminole97]

Ah, are we arguing for preserving Disney’s special district status or crying foul over the manner and circumstances under which it was changed? There’s a difference.

Also, how many of Florida’s, what, 1,000+ special districts have been similarly targeted for this much-needed reform?

I'm not sure how many of those are like Disney (corporate self rule).
Seems like a thing used for a bunch of government facilities and projects:

Official List of Special Districts
Special District Official Website Links (1,980)
Report Created January 31, 2024
1. A. Max Brewer Memorial Law Library
2. A.H. at Turnpike South Community Development District
3. Abbott Square Community Development District
4. Aberdeen Community Development District
5. Academical Village Community Development District
6. Acme Improvement District
7. Acree Community Development District
8. Alachua Community Redevelopment Agency
9. Alachua County Health Facilities Authority
10. Alachua County Housing Authority
11. Alachua County Housing Finance Authority
12. Alachua County Library District
13. Alachua Soil and Water Conservation District
14. Alafia Preserve Community Development District
15. Alligator Point Water Resources District
16. Almarante Fire District
17. Alta Lakes Community Development District
18. Altamonte Springs Health Facilities Authority
19. Alva Fire Protection and Rescue Service District
20. Amelia Concourse Community Development District
21. Amelia Island Mosquito Control District

 

[Here_4_a_Day]

A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Walt Disney’s lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of a state board for allegedly retaliating after the company criticized state limits on classroom discussion of sexuality.

DeSantis and other defendants had urged U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida, to dismiss the case because Disney could not sue them over constitutionally enacted state laws. Winsor was nominated by then-President Donald Trump in 2019 to fill a vacancy.

“Disney lacks standing to sue the Governor or the Secretary,” the judge said in his ruling, according to a court filing. The company’s claims against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight district board also fail because “when a statute is facially constitutional, a plaintiff cannot bring a free-speech challenge by claiming that the lawmakers who passed it acted with a constitutionally impermissible purpose.”

DeSantis’s office and the Florida oversight board did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A Disney spokesperson said: “This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here.

Justice has been served......

 

[The Tradition]

A Disney spokesperson said: “This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here.

OMG! Disney is the moral compass? God help us....

 

[Joes Place]

I'm not sure how many of those are like Disney (corporate self rule).
Seems like a thing used for a bunch of government facilities and projects:

Official List of Special Districts
Special District Official Website Links (1,980)
Report Created January 31, 2024
1. A. Max Brewer Memorial Law Library
2. A.H. at Turnpike South Community Development District
3. Abbott Square Community Development District
4. Aberdeen Community Development District
5. Academical Village Community Development District
6. Acme Improvement District
7. Acree Community Development District
8. Alachua Community Redevelopment Agency
9. Alachua County Health Facilities Authority
10. Alachua County Housing Authority
11. Alachua County Housing Finance Authority
12. Alachua County Library District
13. Alachua Soil and Water Conservation District
14. Alafia Preserve Community Development District
15. Alligator Point Water Resources District
16. Almarante Fire District
17. Alta Lakes Community Development District
18. Altamonte Springs Health Facilities Authority
19. Alva Fire Protection and Rescue Service District
20. Amelia Concourse Community Development District
21. Amelia Island Mosquito Control District

Weird how you ignored "The Villages" here...

 

[sober_teacher]

No, I think these kind of laws only make the playing field uneven.


Disney makes an interesting case for corporate self rule, don't they?
The most fascinating thing about this is seeing people argue this corporation should be allowed to self rule.

Do you think anyone will require Musk to get an Improvement District passed for Mars?

Tell me, do you think DeSantis went after disneys improvement district because he legit thinks it was bad for Florida, or because Disney dared to make a statement critical of a law he favored?

 

[seminole97]

Tell me, do you think DeSantis went after disneys improvement district because he legit thinks it was bad for Florida, or because Disney dared to make a statement critical of a law he favored?

100% political.

 

[Joes Place]

100% political.

& will cost those counties $1B

"However, the counties would also assume all debt from the district and could cost taxpayers upwards of $1 billion, lawmakers said. The counties would also be responsible for all infrastructure improvements and Disney would have to go to the county for major renovations or additions."

 

[The Tradition]

Tell me, do you think DeSantis went after disneys improvement district because he legit thinks it was bad for Florida, or because Disney dared to make a statement critical of a law he favored?

Not only that, but Disney was forced to comment by... the labor union.

Everything bad is started by unions.

 

[Tom Paris]

Disney has a right to run an Improvement District?

I imagine Universal would want to exercise that right. I could see Walmart and Amazon being interested too.

I’m starting to think you’re Nat Algren.

 

[sober_teacher]

I’m starting to think you’re Nat Algren.

Nah, there's no russian angle.

 

[ericram]

Disney has a right to run an Improvement District?

I imagine Universal would want to exercise that right. I could see Walmart and Amazon being interested too.

Universal already had one. Surprise.

 

[ericram]

& will cost those counties $1B

"However, the counties would also assume all debt from the district and could cost taxpayers upwards of $1 billion, lawmakers said. The counties would also be responsible for all infrastructure improvements and Disney would have to go to the county for major renovations or additions."

Biff country

 

[dgordo]

Universal already had one. Surprise.

yup

Months after DeSantis stripped Disney of a special district, Universal Orlando Resort just got one

The move could add fuel to the entertainment giant’s lawsuit against the state.

fortune.com

 

[KFsdisciple]

RDS is doing the backstroke, swimming in liberal tears.

 

[Sharky1203]

So, let me get this straight. A group of lawmakers made some laws, and the courts said, "the courts don't have control over the making of the laws". I'm pretty sure this is exactly what the SCOTUS said about Roe v Wade.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

RDS is doing the backstroke, swimming in liberal tears.

Talking about the decision is “liberal tears”?

You’re being foolish.

 

[ericram]

Is this not a federal issue? Then let's hold court in Florida. This makes no sense. Disney can't have a district but universal can?

 

[seminole97]

Is this not a federal issue? Then let's hold court in Florida. This makes no sense. Disney can't have a district but universal can?

Edit to add: this decision is from a Federal court. Judge appointed by the President, not the governor.

I think the nature of ‘special districts’ is not uniform.
Someone linked an earlier article that Universal now has one, and Disney still has one, it’s just setup different than before, changing some of the ‘corporate self rule’, that was in the prior iteration.
It would be interesting to see details on how both currently compare.

I’m fascinated by the source of outrage that Disney is potentially subject to more state and local government regulation than they previously enjoyed, and that their competitors already have.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I’m fascinated by the source of outrage that Disney is potentially subject to more state and local government regulation than they previously enjoyed, and that their competitors already have.

And I’m fascinated you won’t acknowledge nobody cares about the special district issues. It’s the circumstances under which the law was changed that people are objecting to.

 

[Joes Place]

Edit to add: this decision is from a Federal court. Judge appointed by the President, not the governor.

I think the nature of ‘special districts’ is not uniform.
Someone linked an earlier article that Universal now has one, and Disney still has one, it’s just setup different than before

It is costing those counties $1B

They should take note of that for the next FL elections.

 

[ericram]

It is costing those counties $1B

They should take note of that for the next FL elections.

The biff counties are hurt the most

 

[Flie]

Speak out against Desantis, you get punished. Hopefully everyone learned the lesson here.

 

[Sharky1203]

Speak out against Desantis, you get punished. Hopefully everyone learned the lesson here.

Wasn't about speaking out against Desantis

 

[sober_teacher]

Wasn't about speaking out against Desantis

They spoke on a bill that he championed. That’s a distinction without a difference.

 

[95Hawk]

Wasn't about speaking out against Desantis

Really? I mean…otherwise the timing of Reedy Creek being dissolved was pretty remarkable, all things considered.

 

[Sharky1203]

They spoke on a bill that he championed. That’s a distinction without a difference.

It was solely about grooming kids. I was living in Orlando at the time all this went down.