Gov Rell Vetoes

School Nutrition Bill

HARTFORD — The governor vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have banned most soft drinks and junk food from Connecticut schools.

Soft drink companies had lobbied fiercely against the bill, and schools expressed concerns about losing revenue from sales.

Republican Gov M. Jodi Rell said the effort to impose state standards on school districts for nutrition and physical education “undermines the control and responsibility of parents with school-aged children.”

The bill would have banned sodas and snacks deemed unhealthy by the state Department of Education from school cafeterias, school stores, and vending machines. The legislation also would have required 20 minutes of physical activity for young students through fifth grade each day, outside of gym class.

Proponents said that taking sugary soda and junk food away would teach students about good nutrition choices. Gov Rell said improving the health and wellness of Connecticut’s children is laudable and called on the education commissioner to develop guidelines for school nutrition and physical education policies.