The recent proposal by Connecticut lawmakers to impose a 2-cent-per-ounce tax on soda to pay for universal school meals has sparked considerable debate. 

Less sugary drinks, as noted by the American Heart Association, would improve students’ health and allow them to learn better in the classroom, and roughly 500,000 students and their families would no longer have to worry about having enough money to buy meals. 

A poll conducted by the American Heart Association found that about 80% of Connecticut residents favor a tax on sugary drinks to support universal school meals. 

The goal of making meals free and accessible to students is commendable, as no student should go through the school day hungry, but burdening taxpayers and restaurants in the process is not the right approach. 

This tax would raise the cost of a 2-liter bottle of soda from $1.99 to $3.35. 

Local stores and restaurants would likely have to raise their prices to cover the expense of the tax. Business representatives say this added cost could hurt small businesses and potentially even cause consumers to shop in neighboring states, which is especially concerning given that inflation in the state and across the country is high. 

Without intending to, this tax could also place a new burden on low-income students and their families, raising questions about the fairness of the proposal. 

Instead of relying on a new tax to pay for universal school meals, Connecticut’s leaders could add this cost directly to the state budget. Feeding students is an investment in their education and in the future of the country. 

Another option is to use money from the state’s rainy-day fund. This fund is designed to cover expenses during emergencies, and ensuring all students have access to meals during the school day could qualify as such a circumstance. While this would not be a permanent solution, it could temporarily cover the expense while lawmakers explore alternative funding plans. 

This is not to say that the proposal for free school meals is wrong. It certainly isn’t. It is one of the best ways to improve students’ academic performance and well-being. However, theoretical ideas do not always work well in practice. 

If lawmakers want to address this issue the right way, they need to find a more equitable solution. A soda tax might seem like a simple solution, but it is not the right one. 

Students deserve to be supported, but not at the expense of others in their community.