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Governor M. Jodi Rell Vetoes Nutritional Labeling |
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July 2, 2009 - Governor Rell announced this afternoon that she vetoed SB 1080, An Act Concerning Access to Health and Nutritional Information in Restaurants. This bill would have required chain restaurants in Connecticut to disclose on their printed menus or menu boards total calorie counts for standard menu items. The state Department of Public Health would have been charged with enforcing the measure.
While acknowledging the growing problem of obesity, Governor Rell noted that "healthy lifestyles and good eating habits are personal decisions and commitments."
"Does it come as a surprise to anyone that a vegetable salad is healthier and more nutritious than a bacon cheeseburger?" the Governor said. "There has been a growing and troubling tendency by some to legislate nearly every aspect of our lives and society, including personal responsibility. Such legislation always comes at a cost to the taxpayer and to individual freedom."
Governor Rell also noted the cost such a bill would impose on restaurateurs and on the Department of Public Health, adding, "This is hardly the economic climate in which to further burden our businesses and state agencies."
She also noted similar legislation pending on the federal level, which would impose uniform national standards, which she said would be preferable to a patchwork of state regulations.
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New On-line Training Registration |
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 We have now completed our improved on-line registration system for ServSafe classes. Click on the ServSafe logo or the link on the left side. You can easily register with our express checkout or, if you have multiple attendees, you can set up an account and enroll them without needing to reenter your contact information. Keep checking back for new listings. Let us know what you think! You can still download our PDF registration form and register by fax if you prefer.
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Liquor Control Conference
The Department of Consumer Protection held the Connecticut Industry Leadership Summit and Liquor Compliance Conference on April 22, 2009 at the Chevrolet Theater in Wallingford, Connecticut. More than 800 liquor industry members, including restaurants, attended. Click here for the power point presentation used at the event . |
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The Connecticut General Assembly wrapped up their 2009 Regular Session at midnight on Wednesday, June 3rd. The “long session”, which goes from the beginning of January to the first week of June, proved to be one with a lot of hot topics for the Connecticut restaurant industry. The Connecticut Restaurant Association was successful in defeating several of our biggest threats to business, and will continue to work on educating legislators on our key issues, including tip credit and Mandatory Paid Sick Leave.
The legislature failed to pass a budget before its June 3rd deadline, and will be back in special session in attempt to pass a budget before the fiscal year begins July 1. Budget cuts as well as a variety of increased taxes on businesses will be on the table in order to address an estimated $8.7 billion deficiency. We will monitor the special session and keep you apprised of any developments.
A big thanks to our Legislative Committee, led by VP of Legislation, Phil Barnett, Hartford Restaurant Group, (Wood-n-Tap, Agave, Vaughan's, TD Homers) and David Rutigliano of SBC Restaurants, for all of their help this session in alerting the membership of key issues and lobbying alongside the professional lobbying staff.
Read more about the bills the CRA lobbied for and against this session. |
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