Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that aims to stop Disney's development deals.
The decision is the latest step DeSantis has taken in his public dispute with the company.
- The development deals are at the center of the latest battle in a yearlong dispute between Disney, one of Florida's largest employers and taxpayers, and DeSantis, who is likely preparing for a 2024 presidential campaign.
- The bill, which passed out of the state's Republican-majority Legislature just a day earlier, follows a vote by DeSantis' board members to invalidate the deals, claiming they were struck unlawfully.
- Disney says the contracts were crafted to help lock in its long-term development plans amid escalating tension with DeSantis and his allies.
- Members of both parties, including former President Donald Trump, have criticized DeSantis' fight with Disney.
- This dispute began more than a year ago after Disney denounced a Republican-backed Florida bill limiting classroom discussion about sexual orientation and gender ideology, called "Don't Say Gay" by critics.
- Shortly after, DeSantis and his allies moved to dissolve the special tax district that had allowed Walt Disney World to essentially govern its own operations for more than 50 years.