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Connecticut lawmakers revisit sugary drink tax for universal school lunches

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Connecticut lawmakers revisit sugary drink tax for universal school lunches


Connecticut lawmakers are again considering a two‑cent‑per‑ounce tax on sugary drinks that would be used to pay for universal free school meals across the state.

Under the plan, a two‑cent‑per‑ounce tax would raise the cost of a 2‑liter bottle of soda from $1.99 to $3.35.

The tax would generate funding to reimburse public school districts that provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.

“School meals are an important part of the day for the young people, that level of nutrition, and we believe that all students should have it,” Sen. Gary Winfield said. “And a way of supporting it was thinking about the sugary drinks that we have.”

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The American Heart Association, which supports the proposal, commissioned polling of Connecticut residents and found that 79% of respondents favor the tax. (Read the commissioned research by the STATS group here.)

“Rarely do you see this level of agreement or support for a particular proposal,” said Kenneth Dautrich, an associate professor emeritus at UConn.

Universal school lunches are already available in Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and New York, according to testimony submitted by Dr. Tatiana Andreyeva, Associate Professor at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health at the University of Connecticut.

Scott Dolch, president and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association, said the increased cost could impact businesses.

The tax would be paid at the distributor level when it is sold to retailers. Dolch believes it would be passed along to the consumer.

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“They can’t eat that,” Dolch said. “Restaurants survive off of, on average, a 3% profit margin.

As written, the tax would also cover certain alcoholic drinks, including cocktails, mojitos, and espresso martinis. Beer and wine industry advocates told the committee Monday that decreased alcohol demand has already put pressure on their businesses.

Last month, Gov. Ned Lamont announced his proposed budget includes funding for universal free breakfast. It would also make lunch free for students who qualify for reduced‑price meals.

Rep. Joe Polletta said Republicans oppose creating another tax to support a universal lunch program.

“Folks on my side of the aisle do not agree with creating yet another tax in Connecticut to pay for something,” Polletta said. “We should find the money in the budget if we think it’s a good plan and a laudable goal.”

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A similar measure was proposed last year but did not advance out of committee.

Winfield said he hopes he and other supporters can communicate more clearly this year to answer concerns raised previously.

“Clearly, we want to get to some of the folks who had opposition within the building, and then we’ll see what we get out of it,” Winfield said.



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Connecticut

Man arrested after stealing from Connecticut Children’s Hospital donation bin

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Man arrested after stealing from Connecticut Children’s Hospital donation bin


ENFIELD, Conn. (WFSB) – Police arrested a Connecticut man on Sunday morning after he allegedly stole bottles and cans from a Connecticut Children’s Hospital donation bin.

Officers received a call at around 8 a.m. for a report of a larceny from a “Cans For Kids” donation bin at located on Raffia Road, according to the police department.

Police said they used used local surveillance cameras and municipal license plate readers to identify a vehicle and suspect.

Officials identified the individual as Joshua Wilcox of Broad Brook

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With the help of Wethersfield police officers, Wilcox was found and detained. Enfield police arrested Wilcox and charged him with sixth-degree larceny and first-degree criminal trespass.

It was also revealed that this is the second incident involving Wilcox at the same location, police said.

No further details were released.

Eyewitness News will provide more details as soon as they become available.

Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.

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Danbury OKs expanded building plans for west side cancer center

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Danbury OKs expanded building plans for west side cancer center


“(T)he applicant is proposing a minor building addition of 1,300 square feet to the basement level because the specialized proton equipment required a slightly larger support space,” said Allie Smith, an associate planner with the city’s professional planning and zoning department.

Smith is referring to what would be the second proton therapy cancer treatment center between New York City and Boston, after the Connecticut Proton center in Wallingford, which is scheduled to open later this year.

Proton therapy is considered advanced radiation treatment because it uses the positively charged particles to “target cancer with exceptional precision,” reducing damage to nearby healthy tissue.

The expanded building plans for Danbury Proton are the latest development in a prolonged effort to serve western Connecticut and nearby New York residents with the novel cancer treatment.

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The project, which was set to break ground on a 3-acre site overlooking Danbury Municipal Airport this spring, is “very busy marketing and selling the bonds,” a spokesman said.

“We’re ready to break ground as soon as we close on the bonds,” said Drew Crandall on Friday. “We are in conversation with investors every day and we are making good progress.”

In March, Danbury’s City Council agreed to use its bonding power to help Danbury Proton get low-cost financing under a “conduit issuer” agreement. Around the same time, the city’s Planning Commission extended approvals for the project, which were scheduled to expire in July.

All that means that Danbury Proton expects to open its 17,000-square-foot facility at 85 Wooster Heights Road in late 2027 or early 2028.

“The day is coming when we will be treating patients with revolutionary proton therapy cancer treatment,” Crandall said in a newsletter to supporters last week. “Countless patients and their families will benefit from proton therapy.”

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Fire extends from attic of well-known Clinton donut shop

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Fire extends from attic of well-known Clinton donut shop


Several businesses and residents are displaced after a well-known donut shop in Clinton caught fire Saturday morning according to fire department officials.

Clinton Volunteer Fire Department officials say officers received reports of a fire at Beach Donut where they found heavy smoke and a fire extending to the attic.

They say people were evacuated while firefighters work to bring the fire under control.

One person was transported by Clinton EMS for evaluation.

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The displaced residents are being treated by the American Red Cross and the fire is still under investigation by the Clinton Fire Marshal’s Office with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit.

The fire department received mutual aid from several fire stations and EMS from neighboring towns.

According to the Beach Donut Facebook, the business will be temporarily closed until notice.



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