People go to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on April 18, 2022.

Ted Shaffrey/AP

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Ted Shaffrey/AP

People go to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on April 18, 2022.

Ted Shaffrey/AP

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Board members picked by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to oversee the governance of Walt Disney World mentioned Wednesday that their Disney-controlled predecessors pulled a quick one on them by passing restrictive covenants that strip the brand new board of a lot of its powers.

The present supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District mentioned at a gathering that their predecessors final month signed a growth settlement with the corporate that gave Disney most developmental energy over the theme park resort’s 27,000 acres in central Florida.

The 5 supervisors had been appointed by the Republican governor to the board after the Florida Legislature overhauled Disney’s government in retaliation for the leisure big publicly opposing so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation that bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender id in kindergarten by way of third grade, in addition to classes deemed not age-appropriate.

In taking over Disney, DeSantis furthered his fame as a tradition warrior prepared to battle perceived political enemies and wield the ability of state authorities to perform political targets, a method that’s anticipated to proceed forward of his potential White House run.

The new supervisors changed a board that had been managed by Disney through the earlier 55 years that the federal government operated because the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The new board members held their first assembly earlier this month and mentioned they discovered concerning the settlement after their appointments.

“We’re going to have to deal with it and correct it,” board member Brian Aungst mentioned Wednesday. “It’s a subversion of the will of the voters and the Legislature and the governor. It completely circumvents the authority of this board to govern.”

In an announcement, Disney mentioned all agreements had been above board and befell in public.

“All agreements signed between Disney and the District were appropriate, and were discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums in compliance with Florida’s Government in the Sunshine law,” the assertion mentioned.

Separately, Disney World service employees on Wednesday had been voting on whether or not to just accept a union contract provide that will increase the beginning minimal wage to $18 an hour by the tip of the yr.

The settlement covers round 45,000 service employees on the Disney theme park resort, together with costumed performers who carry out as Mickey Mouse and different Disney characters, bus drivers, culinary employees, lifeguards, theatrical employees and resort housekeepers.

Workers may see their hourly wages rise between $5.50 and $8.60 an hour by the tip of the five-year contract if it is authorised, in response to union leaders.

A contract authorised 5 years in the past made Disney the primary main employer in central Florida to comply with a minimal hourly wage of $15, setting the pattern for different employees within the area dominated by hospitality jobs.