After more than 40 years in Orlando, Fla., could Disney World pack up and move to North Carolina?
State Sen. Michael Garrett (D) has proposed a bill aimed at doing just that, in light of Disney’s feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. This feud stems from Disney’s response to the “Don’t Say Gay” Florida legislation supported by the Republican governor.
Just this week, DeSantis floated the idea of establishing a prison near the beloved family theme park. Previously, a board that governs the land the park is on made moves to strip state government power over it.
“Along with my colleagues, I’ve introduced SB594, Mickey’s Freedom Restoration Act,” Garrett said in a tweet. “North Carolina is a great place to do business. Politicians who put their economy at risk to boost their own political ambitions are a liability.”
According to a description of the bill, it would establish an 11-member North Carolina Family Amusement Park Study Commission. It would also provide for commission expense allowances, designation of co-chairs, meeting requirements, staffing, and exercise of powers and appropriate $750,000 for 2023-24 from the General Fund to the commission.
In a tweet thread, Garrett referenced North Carolina’s HB2. That legislation was “a sweeping discriminatory law that reversed LGBTQ+ rights, sparking economic disaster as major companies pulled out of North Carolina,” that cost the state more than $3.7 billion and 2,900 new jobs, according to the state’s Democratic party.
Garrett also said that he would welcome Walt Disney “and all other businesses seeking refuge from the culture war madness gripping the state of Florida.”
Per Fox 8, Garrett and other North Carolina lawmakers have not yet discussed the proposal with Disney. He said that the company was notified of the legislation last week.
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