U-turn? DeSantis shoots down report that Florida is reversing decision to revoke special Disney jurisdiction

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is refuting a report that Florida is preparing to reverse its decision to strip Disney of its right to operate autonomously around its theme parks in Florida.

What are the details?

The Financial Times reported that Florida lawmakers are preparing a "U-turn" on dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The RCID was established in 1967 and essentially gives Disney authority to operate its own private government in a jurisdiction that encircles its Central Florida parks. But after Disney publicly feuded with Florida Republicans over legislation that protected children in grades K-3 from public school instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, Florida lawmakers voted to dissolve the RCID.

Now, Florida lawmakers are "working on a compromise that would allow Disney to keep the arrangement largely in place with a few modifications," the Financial Times reported.

The development is reportedly attributed to Bob Chapek's departure as CEO of the Walt Disney Co. Last month, Chapek's predecessor, Bob Iger, returned as Disney's top executive.

"It’s easier to shift policy when you don’t have to defend the old policy,” Florida state Rep. Randy Fine (R) said. "Chapek screwed up, but Bob Iger doesn’t have to own that screw-up."

What is DeSantis saying?

In response to the report, DeSantis' office said the governor "does not make U-turns."

"The governor was right to champion removing the extraordinary benefit given to one company through the Reedy Creek Improvement District," a statement from DeSantis' office said, NBC News reported.

"We will have an even playing field for businesses in Florida, and the state certainly owes no special favors to one company. Disney’s debts will not fall on the taxpayers of Florida," the statement added. "A plan is in the works and will be released soon."

Anything else?

In a company town hall this week, Iger expressed regret over Disney's foray into politics. In response, DeSantis made it clear that Disney sowed everything it will reap.

"We didn't drag them in, they went in on their own. And not only opposed the bill, they threatened to get it repealed. These are parents' rights, important policies in our state that are very popular. They brought this on themselves — all we did was stand up for what is right," DeSantis said on Fox News.

"Yes, they are a big, powerful company. But, we stand up for our folks, and I don't care what a Burbank, California-based company says about our laws," he said.