The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, under the control of Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointees, saw further changes with the departure of its board chairman, Martin Garcia. Garcia, who had been critical of Disney, left his position following the recent exit of the district's administrator, Glen Gilzean, who accepted a new appointment by DeSantis.
DeSantis' office expressed gratitude to Garcia for overseeing the transition of the district to its current state, emphasizing a focus on transparency and the elimination of corporate welfare. The governor recommended Stephanie Kopelousos, a former senior advisor, to take over as the district's new administrator.
Since the takeover by DeSantis' appointees last year, the district has experienced staff turnover and legal challenges. The district, responsible for providing various municipal services, was previously controlled by Disney supporters for many years.
The conflict between DeSantis and Disney escalated in 2022 when Disney publicly opposed the controversial 'Don't Say Gay' law. DeSantis responded by taking control of the district through legislative action and appointing a new board of supervisors. Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and his appointees, alleging violations of free speech rights, which was dismissed by a federal judge in January.
Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit regarding the district's control is ongoing in state court in Orlando. In a separate development, a settlement agreement was reached this week concerning the 'Don't Say Gay' legislation, clarifying that the law does not prohibit discussions on LGBTQ+ topics, anti-bullying measures based on sexual orientation and gender identity, or the formation of Gay-Straight Alliance groups.
As the district enters a new phase under DeSantis' administration, the focus remains on ensuring fairness and transparency for businesses operating in Central Florida.
