Deal Ends Disney's Legal Battles in Florida

The long-running legal battle between Disney and allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is over—in the Florida courts, at least. The board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, installed by DeSantis to oversee Disney's special tax district, has agreed to a settlement that will end numerous legal actions involving Disney, including a lawsuit that was due to go to trial in June, CNN reports.

• The background. DeSantis moved to strip the area around Walt Disney World of its self-governing status two years ago after the company criticized the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law. Much of the subsequent legal wrangling involved an agreement Disney signed last year before the DeSantis-controlled board took power. It stripped the incoming board of much of its power and part of it was valid until "21 years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III, king of England."

• The deal. It declares the agreement signed in the final days of the Reedy Creek Improvement District to be "null and void," the Washington Post reports. Under the deal, neither side will be required to admit fault or liability in the lawsuits they've filed against each other, reports CNN. Disney now plans to negotiate a new agreement for its development plans in the district.
• Disney welcomes settlement. "We are pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court in Florida between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District," Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement. He said the agreement "opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district," per the AP.
• Federal lawsuit is pending. The Orlando Sentinel reports that a federal lawsuit involving DeSantis and Disney remains pending. In the First Amendment lawsuit, Disney said the governor was retaliating against it for opposing his legislation. A federal judge dismissed the suit in January but Disney is appealing.

(More Florida stories.)