Editor, The Beacon:

In yet another indication that Gov. Ron DeSantis had not given enough forethought to the consequences of the retribution he inflicted on a private company for not agreeing with his politics, he now says the state will assume responsibility for Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Florida state law dictates that all assets and liabilities of a district are transferred to the “local general-purpose government” (Orange and Osceola counties in this case) if that district is dissolved. But DeSantis says he does not trust the local governments with the responsibility of running the district.

“I’d much rather have the state leading that effort than potentially having local government [in charge]. … I’m worried that they [local officials] would use that as a pretext to raise taxes on people when that’s what they would want to do anyway and then try to blame Reedy Creek. So we’re not going to give them that opportunity.”

He fails to mention that it was his ill-conceived retribution that has forced the issue of increased taxes into the public dialogue. DeSantis’ action is going to cost the taxpayer no matter his not-so-clever semantics.

And, yet again, DeSantis displays his rejection of conservative governing principles. Among the most sacred is that the government closest to the people should prevail at all times.

John Bethel

DeLand