DeSantis-Disney May Be Locked In Bitter Legal Tussle But Governor Draws Criticism For New School Voucher Bill That Allows Students To Buy Theme Park Passes

A bill Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into a law earlier this year for expanding the school voucher program has caused a stir in the state.

What Happened: The expanded program approved by Florida lawmakers allows parents to spend the money for theme park passes, 55-inches TVs, stand-up paddleboards, and tickets for fan fests and conventions, among other things, a Tampa Bay Times report said.

The allowed items are part of a list of authorized expenses in a 13-page purchasing guide published this summer by “Step up For Students,” the organization that manages the bulk of Florida's vouchers, the publication added. 

These items are available for anyone who received an award of about $8,000.

The expanded list triggered a negative reaction among think tanks. “We want to be conservative with our tax dollars. We want to be sure it is being used for worthwhile things,” Damaris Allen, executive director of “Families for Strong Public Schools,” reportedly said.  At the same time, teachers who want the same items will now be forced to shell out their own money or use fundraising sources such as GoFundMe, she added.

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Holly Bullard, the chief strategy officer for Florida Policy Institute, said, “Is it fair to students in our public schools, whose teachers often pay out of their own pockets for classroom supplies, that taxpayer dollars are being spent on Disney passes and big screen TVs for voucher families?”

Why It's Important: The approval of the expanded program came despite DeSantis and Disney being locked in a legal dispute. Because the “Mouse House” opposed the state's “Don't Say Gay” law, which prohibits discussions about sexual orientation in classes up to third grade, the governor and state officials have employed a retaliatory tactic.

DeSantis clipped much of Disney's power the company enjoyed in its special administrative district where its Orlando theme park is located. This prompted the latter to sue the governor.

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