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From Today's Orlando Sentinel:
An Orlando legislator asked his colleagues this week to conduct the first comprehensive review in nearly 40 years of Walt Disney World's special government powers.
In a letter to a key state House committee, Rep. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said the Legislature needs to understand the scope of Disney's private government, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, should Comcast Corp. succeed in its bid to take over the Walt Disney Co.
"Clearly, the time has come to review the RCID's powers and limitations, including its taxing authority, condemnation powers, and its ability to issue tax-free bonds," he said in his letter to the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.
Reedy Creek's exemptions from some state growth-management laws also need review, Gardiner wrote, stating: "Under current ownership, these powers are used appropriately.".
The state Legislature established Reedy Creek in 1967, allowing Disney to sidestep local government controls as it built and operated its Central Florida theme parks and resorts. The Florida Supreme Court reviewed the Reedy Creek legislation and upheld its constitutionality in 1968 -- the last serious review of Disney's government powers.
The joint legislative auditing committee, made up of House and Senate members, oversees the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, or OPPAGA, the Legislature's research arm.
Committee member Rep. Ray Sansom, R-Fort Walton Beach, said this week that his committee could make a decision about Gardiner's request before this year's legislative session ends next month. It could instruct OPPAGA to prepare a report or refer it to another committee that reviews local government affairs, he said.
In the past two decades, some local elected leaders have complained that Disney abuses its government powers to the detriment of the region. Both Sansom and Gardiner said that they did not approach a possible review with that mind-set.
"As I understand it, Reedy Creek is one of the best-run districts in the country. We would want to make sure everything there is in order so we can continue Disney World's success," Sansom said.
Of particular concern to Gardiner is whether the 1967 Legislature, in establishing the district for Disney, intended for its powers to pass to a new owner -- such as Comcast -- without approval from today's legislative leaders. That question is not explicitly answered by Reedy Creek's charter.
Elizabeth A. Duda, one of the five Disney appointees that make up Reedy Creek's Board of Supervisors, said a legislative review of the district is not necessary.
Disney has used the government to benefit both itself and the region, she said, and "another company would be foolish to change things."
Sean Mussenden can be reached at smussenden@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664.
An Orlando legislator asked his colleagues this week to conduct the first comprehensive review in nearly 40 years of Walt Disney World's special government powers.
In a letter to a key state House committee, Rep. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said the Legislature needs to understand the scope of Disney's private government, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, should Comcast Corp. succeed in its bid to take over the Walt Disney Co.
"Clearly, the time has come to review the RCID's powers and limitations, including its taxing authority, condemnation powers, and its ability to issue tax-free bonds," he said in his letter to the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.
Reedy Creek's exemptions from some state growth-management laws also need review, Gardiner wrote, stating: "Under current ownership, these powers are used appropriately.".
The state Legislature established Reedy Creek in 1967, allowing Disney to sidestep local government controls as it built and operated its Central Florida theme parks and resorts. The Florida Supreme Court reviewed the Reedy Creek legislation and upheld its constitutionality in 1968 -- the last serious review of Disney's government powers.
The joint legislative auditing committee, made up of House and Senate members, oversees the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, or OPPAGA, the Legislature's research arm.
Committee member Rep. Ray Sansom, R-Fort Walton Beach, said this week that his committee could make a decision about Gardiner's request before this year's legislative session ends next month. It could instruct OPPAGA to prepare a report or refer it to another committee that reviews local government affairs, he said.
In the past two decades, some local elected leaders have complained that Disney abuses its government powers to the detriment of the region. Both Sansom and Gardiner said that they did not approach a possible review with that mind-set.
"As I understand it, Reedy Creek is one of the best-run districts in the country. We would want to make sure everything there is in order so we can continue Disney World's success," Sansom said.
Of particular concern to Gardiner is whether the 1967 Legislature, in establishing the district for Disney, intended for its powers to pass to a new owner -- such as Comcast -- without approval from today's legislative leaders. That question is not explicitly answered by Reedy Creek's charter.
Elizabeth A. Duda, one of the five Disney appointees that make up Reedy Creek's Board of Supervisors, said a legislative review of the district is not necessary.
Disney has used the government to benefit both itself and the region, she said, and "another company would be foolish to change things."
Sean Mussenden can be reached at smussenden@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664.
