House Republican Press Release

May 17, 2005

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. DelGobbo Says Legislature is Crowding Out Precious Academic Time

Naugatuck Legislator Criticizes “Big Brother” Effort to Impose State-Mandated Food Court

NAUGATUCK—State Representative Kevin M. DelGobbo (R-70^th, Naugatuck) today opposed draconian legislation that micromanages food policy for Connecticut’s schools students and add 20 minutes per day of “exercise time” over and above existing physical exercise requirements. This will leave less time for academics.

The Naugatuck legislator said, “Now, at a critical time, when we are trying to improve school performance, we step in and crowd out academic time with additional recess requirements.”

Rep. DelGobbo said, “We are telling local communities, ‘You don’t know any better.’ We are going to take matters out of your hands and we are going to make you set up what I call a state-mandated food court in your schools.”

“Simply put,” he said, “this is just another step in a Big Brother, government knows best society this legislature is creating. It is simply wrong.”

Rep. DelGobbo said, “This undercuts the fundamental principles of individual responsibility and parental involvement,” said Rep. DelGobbo. “It is amazing to me how far the legislature is willing to go in telling people how to live their lives.”

Rep. DelGobbo also noted that Naugatuck school, for example, would lose tens of thousands of dollars in revenues, which would result in undercutting sports programs and place a greater burden on taxpayers.

He spoke during a three-hour debate on a controversial bill, SB 1309, An Act Concerning School Nutrition.

This bill requires a minimum amount of physical exercise for students. It limits the beverages that may be offered in schools and requires boards of education to implement and enforce a State Department of Education (SDE)-published list of recommended foods that may be offered to students at schools.

Rep. DelGobbo noted that virtually no local school superintendents have called for the legislation and the many school officials have expressed outright opposition to the bill.

“We need to let local communities and local parents make judgments for themselves,” said Rep. DelGobbo. “The legislature does not have the right answers for every student, every family, in every community in every school.”

Rep. DelGobbo serves the 70^th Assembly District of Naugatuck in the state House of Representatives.