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Florida Senate approves stripping Disney of self-government power
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Florida Senate approves stripping Disney of self-government power

They voted on Gov. Ron DeSantis' congressional map and two measures that punish Disney.

Politics

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —

The House speaker set the stage for a day in which Republicans braced for Democrats to stall the passage of three bills, which included Gov. Ron DeSantis' congressional map and two measures that punish Disney.

One of the bills would wipe out Disney's 55-year-old government structure, the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

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The district provides water, sewer, electric power and public safety for millions of visitors, employees and residents.

The other bill would jettison an exemption from the state's new social media or "Big-Tech" law, which opens companies up to lawsuits, if they suspend or de-platform messaging, especially from politicians.

House Democrats unsuccessfully motioned for the bills to be heard in committee, especially the congressional map.

The congressional map includes putting aside one million taxpayer dollars for legal action, which it is certain to face.

Ray Rodrigues, a Republican Senate redistricting chair said, "Do we pass a map that fulfills our constitutional responsibility?"

The Senate has since moved more quickly to pass the Governor's map, which would reduce the number of African American voters in Orlando's District 10 and north Florida's District 5.

It makes both seats vulnerable to the Republican party.

Along party lines, the map passed.

"I don't see it passing in the court. It clearly was designed to eliminate Black representation in Congress," Randolph Bracy, Democratic Orlando state senator, said in a statement.

Dennis Baxley, Lady Lake's Republican state senator, claims to believe the map is fair.

"They're winning a lot of seats that are not designated as seats that are designated for minorities," Baxley said in a statement.

Democrats hold four Florida congressional seats, all in minority-dominant districts.

The Senate also passed both measures punishing Disney. Democrats is calling it retribution for Disney's opposition to the new, Parental Rights in Education law — dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law by critics.

According to reports, Wilton Simpson, Florida Senate president, claims the congressional map is not meant to punish Disney.

"It's clear to me that this is not about corporate accountability," Anna Eskamani, Democrat Orlando state representative, stated. "It's purely about petty politics and a performance by the governor that is so impressive, he should be hired by Disney."

"We're not looking for retaliation. We're looking and saying this organization among others, that have many powers that we do not believe they should have," Simpson said.

All three measures will likely pass in the House tomorrow, head to the governor's desk and, shortly after he signs it, will likely be challenged in court.