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FEATURED, JASON GARCIA, NEWS BY JASON GARCIA ON JANUARY 19, 2010 AT 2:06 PM
Walt Disney World donated more than $407,000 to Florida politicians and political groups in 2009, according to updated state records.
In addition, the giant resort gave another $142,000 worth of freebies hotel rooms, theme-park passes, meals and more to candidates and causes during the year.
The combined total just a hair under $550,000 was about $110,000 more than Disney donated to Florida candidates in 2008. It was the most Disney has given since 2006, when the state was in the midst of open races for governor and two of three cabinet posts. (The totals reflect donations to state-level candidates and groups only, and not contributions to candidates for offices such as U.S. Senate or local city and county councils.)
Disney was especially generous to the state Republican Party, which isnt surprising since the GOP controls both the governors office and the state Legislature in Florida. Disney gave $205,000 in direct contributions to the Republican Party of Florida and about $52,000 more in freebies, or in kind donations.
Disney gave the state Democratic Party $55,000 in direct contributions and about $89,000 worth of in-kind contributions.
One of Disneys largest single donations: $45,000 to the Committee for Florida Justice Reform, which seeks further restrictions on lawsuits. Disney has been lobbying state lawmakers to give parents the ability to waive their childrens liability rights before they participate in recreational activities. The Florida Supreme Court ruled in late 2008 that parents do not have that authority under current law.
Disney requires parents to sign such pre-injury releases before their children can ride horses or rent watercraft at the resort.
Walt Disney World donated more than $407,000 to Florida politicians and political groups in 2009, according to updated state records.
In addition, the giant resort gave another $142,000 worth of freebies hotel rooms, theme-park passes, meals and more to candidates and causes during the year.
The combined total just a hair under $550,000 was about $110,000 more than Disney donated to Florida candidates in 2008. It was the most Disney has given since 2006, when the state was in the midst of open races for governor and two of three cabinet posts. (The totals reflect donations to state-level candidates and groups only, and not contributions to candidates for offices such as U.S. Senate or local city and county councils.)
Disney was especially generous to the state Republican Party, which isnt surprising since the GOP controls both the governors office and the state Legislature in Florida. Disney gave $205,000 in direct contributions to the Republican Party of Florida and about $52,000 more in freebies, or in kind donations.
Disney gave the state Democratic Party $55,000 in direct contributions and about $89,000 worth of in-kind contributions.
One of Disneys largest single donations: $45,000 to the Committee for Florida Justice Reform, which seeks further restrictions on lawsuits. Disney has been lobbying state lawmakers to give parents the ability to waive their childrens liability rights before they participate in recreational activities. The Florida Supreme Court ruled in late 2008 that parents do not have that authority under current law.
Disney requires parents to sign such pre-injury releases before their children can ride horses or rent watercraft at the resort.
