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SB 921

AN ACT IMPOSING A TAX ON SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEDICATING THE REVENUE GENERATED TO FUND SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAMS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jorge Cabrera and 12 co-sponsors

Connecticut would tax sugar-sweetened beverages and dedicate revenue to school breakfast and lunch programs, addressing funding gaps while potentially reducing sugary drink consumption.

PUBLIC HEARING 0226
#beverages #salesandusetax #schoolmeals
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Bill Summary · SB 921

Legislative bill overview

SB 921 would impose a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Connecticut and direct all revenue generated to fund school breakfast and lunch programs. The bill ties a consumption tax to child nutrition, creating a dedicated funding stream for school meal services that currently rely on general state budgets.

Why is this important

School meal programs face chronic underfunding, and this bill addresses that gap while using tax policy to potentially reduce sugary beverage consumption—a public health concern linked to obesity and dental disease. The proposal connects two policy goals: improving student nutrition access and incentivizing healthier purchasing habits.

Potential points of contention

  • Regressive tax impact: Sugary beverage taxes disproportionately affect lower-income households who spend a higher percentage of income on these products, raising equity concerns despite the progressive use of revenues
  • Business opposition: Beverage manufacturers and distributors typically oppose such taxes as harmful to sales and competitiveness, potentially lobbying heavily against passage
  • Implementation questions: The bill doesn't specify the tax rate, exemptions (diet beverages, juice), or enforcement mechanisms—critical details that affect both revenue projections and economic impact
  • Revenue reliability: Beverage consumption may decline over time due to the tax itself, creating uncertainty about long-term program funding stability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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