The Pizza Bill

By Colin M. Caplan
Taste of New Haven
New Haven, Connecticut
September 10, 2020
Revised January 10, 2023
Revised January 14, 2025
Previously submitted 2021 HB5656
Previously submitted 2023 SB390

“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:1. New Haven was declared “The Pizza Capital of the United States” in the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. and in the Congressional Record on May 22, 2024 by Rep. Rosa DeLauro.
2. Connecticut was declared “The Pizza State” by Rep. Rosa DeLauro at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on May 22, 2024.
3. Governor Ned Lamont Declared Connecticut “The Pizza State” and New Haven “The Pizza Capital of America” on National Pizza Day, February 9, 2024.
4. Connecticut has some of the highest rated pizzerias in the United States and are revered by chefs, celebrities, politicians, food critics, pizza lovers, students, families and locals alike.
5. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana began in New Haven in 1925 and is the 4th oldest continuously run pizzeria in the United States.
6. Connecticut has the most pizza places per capita in the United States at 38.6 places per 100,000 people.
7. Connecticut has the most independently owned pizza places in the United States with 95% of the state’s 1400 pizza places.
8. Connecticut’s restaurants contribute $26.6B in sales and add 196,000 jobs annually.
9. Connecticut has its own word for pizza, “apizza” pronounced ‘ah-beets’.
10. The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation installed two entry signs from New York State on Interstate 95 and Interstate 84 with the words “Home of The Pizza Capital of the United States” on September 4, 2024.
11. The pizza box, pizza vending machine, home pizza making set and white clam pizza were first created and invented in Connecticut.
12. New Haven Style Pizza is internationally recognized with over 200 places serving outside of Connecticut worldwide.
13. Taste of New Haven is one of the largest and longest running pizza tour and event companies in the United States producing 200 annual events attracting over 30,000 people from around the world annually, including the APIZZA FEAST pizza festival, the world’s largest pizza party.
14. Books, movies, and plays feature New Haven pizza including the book Pizza in New Haven, documentary films Pizza, a love story and Slice of America and the theatrical production (A)Pizza Play.Statement of Purpose:
To make Pizza the Connecticut State Food as a source of pride and appreciation for residents and businesses in the state and as an economic driver for the restaurant, pizzeria and tourism industry.”

MEETING AGENDA -TBD

BILL TBD

SUBMITTING TESTIMONY LINK – TBD