Will Disney go?
Amid Disney’s feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Texas judge has invited the company to move to Fort Bend County.
In a letter dated April 21, Fort Bend County Judge KP George invited Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek to consider moving to the county, which he described as a “welcoming and diverse place to do business.”
George said that the company, its employees, and “diverse fans face authoritarian, anti-business and culture war attacks from extremists in Florida, we in Fort Bend are more ready to welcome the Disney family with thousands of good-paying jobs and billions of dollars of investments.”
The judge went on to note the benefits provided by the county calling it “unique” and mentioning that residents “compose the most diverse county in the United States,” adding that Fort Bend County — which borders Houston’s Harris County — has an “extremely high graduation rates” and that they are “one of the top capita purchasers in Texas.”
George went on to say that the county had “a strong focus on economic development, we encourage small and large business growth through a business-friendly climate; we make a difference in our children’s lives every day through youth empowerment initiatives and aim to continue improving the quality of life through new, fresh and innovative ideas.”
He concluded the letter by inviting Chapek to visit the county “and see for yourself why our community is the best place for a new Walt Disney World Resort.”
George also disparaged DeSantis, saying in a copy of his letter shared on Twitter that the Florida Governor was a “political extremist.”
George’s letter precedes DeSantis’ officially signing of legislation that revoked a decades-long special agreement between Disney and Florida that enables the company to govern itself.
DeSantis’ decision follows Disney’s outspoken criticism of Florida’s latest state law, colloquially known as “Don’t Say Gay,” which prevents schools from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with elementary-age students.
