Disney can’t duck this

MIAMI: Florida’s state government has scrapped Disney’s self-governing status within its giant Orlando theme park, in a move widely seen as retaliation in a bitter row over the “Don’t say gay” law.

After the state this year passed a law banning primary school lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity, staff at Disney – one of Florida’s biggest employers – slammed it for not taking a stand against “hate legislation”. Disney CEO Bob Chapek then did so by halting all political donations in Florida, sparking this week’s retaliation from far-Right state governor Ron DeSantis.

Disney supplies firefighting, power, water and roads at Disney World, in return for tax breaks. That deal now ends next year.