Disney could soon find itself engaged in a two-front battle with local governments.
The Anaheim City Council has raised a proposal on whether to add a 2% tax onto tickets at large venues and theme parks, most notably Disneyland and California Adventures.
Proponents say the tax could raise another $82 million per year for the city, which would be used to build a second public pool, restore seven-day library services, construct a senior center or hire more police and firefighters.
The proposed tax comes as Anaheim currently plans to balance the city’s budget for the next few years using borrowed money.
Councilman Jose Moreno has been trying to convince the council to consider this for years, but has been stymied by the mayor. She resigned in May, though, which allowed him to put the measure on the agenda.
It still faces an uphill battle. Five of six council members must vote for the measure, and even if it passes that hurdle, it will need to be approved by voters in the next election.
Should it pass, the measure could add a few dollars onto each Disneyland ticket, which currently run as high as $164.
The potential issue with the Anaheim City Council, of course, pales in comparison to the company’s government issues in Florida, where Gov. DeSantis has targeted the company since it voiced opposition o the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The Florida legislature passed a bill that could strip Disney of special privileges that for the last half-century have granted the company a measure of quasi-governmental authority over a giant tract of land that includes Disney World and other Disney properties.
Disney, meanwhile, has delayed the transfer of 2,000 high-paying jobs to the state.
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