Connecticut
Opinion: A kidnappers bargain: linking CT union and nonprofit interests
There are whispers in Hartford that legislation being prepared for next session would link funding for non-profits to general wage increases for state employees. But such a law would exploit unsuspecting taxpayers.
State Sen. Cathy Osten, who is co-chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee and a former union president, is seeking a new funding mechanism for non-profit organizations. Ostensibly, this initiative aims to secure consistent funding for nonprofits that provide essential services like addiction treatment, support for individuals with developmental disabilities, and community enrichment programs. But beneath this altruistic motive lurks the dark specter of union self-interest.
Under Osten’s plan, state funding for certain nonprofits would automatically increase whenever state unions negotiate pay increases for themselves. At first, this seems like a solid strategy for ensuring that that nonprofits get funded. Actually, it is a clever tactic to turn nonprofit workers into a sympathetic de facto lobbying group for Connecticut’s dominant special interest — the government unions — despite having no other relationship to them.
This alignment could incentivize nonprofits, which traditionally focus on service delivery, to shift towards advocacy for increased state spending —effectively lobbying for higher taxes and more government spending. What’s more, nonprofits would have a vested interest in supporting higher wages, regardless of the state’s fiscal condition or the actual needs of the programs they administer.
This situation resembles a kidnapper’s bargain, where a criminal holds a hostage to force concessions from their loved ones. Here, the essential services provided by non-profits are the captives, with funding tied to wage increases as the demand. Just as a ransom forces difficult choices, this proposal forces taxpayers to either accept increased government union pay or risk underfunding vital nonprofit services.
What’s more, this overhaul to the funding process would only exacerbate the leading problem with nonprofit funding: inflation. As the Connecticut Nonprofit Alliance itself has stated, the most recent state budget notably increased state funding for nonprofits, but “due to the high inflation of the last two years, community nonprofits remain 46% behind where they were in 2007.”
The proposal is also yet another initiative from legislative leadership that would undermine the fiscal guardrails that have brought a semblance of stability in state spending and at least checked the growth of taxpayer burdens in Connecticut. These are the same fiscal guardrails that have freed up hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent today, or even boldly returned to taxpayers, by paying down the state’s massive debt obligations.
If our state’s nonprofits need more funding, that’s an important discussion worth having. But tying nonprofit funding to state employee wage increases is the wrong way to produce that outcome. The proposed process would grant significant influence to unions and their new allies within nonprofits, enabling them to dictate terms and influence public policy to their benefit, rather than based on the needs of the communities they serve.
Funding for nonprofits should be based on their performance and the genuine needs of the populations they serve. A rigorous needs analysis and evaluation of each organization’s efficiency and effectiveness should be the cornerstone of any funding decision. Instead, Sen. Osten’s plan introduces an arbitrary mechanism that links funding to state employee wages, bypassing considerations of merit and efficiency.
In essence, the proposed process represents a potential betrayal of the taxpayers’ interests. By embedding a new funding mechanism that serves the interests of a particular group, rather than the public at large, this proposal risks undermining the very purpose of government funding for nonprofits —to support the most effective organizations that provide vital and necessary services.
Taxpayers deserve assurances that their money is being used efficiently and for the public good, not as a bargaining chip in a broader political gambit. Rather than incentivizing nonprofits to promote union lobbyists, we should adopt the free-market reforms that increase prosperity for the people who need it most and support the common sense fiscal policies that will keep our state’s balance sheet stable and strong.
Frank Ricci is a Labor Fellow at the Yankee Institute, past president of the New Haven local of the International Association of Fire Fighters union, and a retired battalion chief. Bryce Chinault is the director of external affairs at the Yankee Institute.
The Greater Danbury area isn’t exactly known as a buffet hotspot, but if you’re willing to venture beyond your zip code, the state delivers some awe-inspiring all-you-can-eat experiences. A recent “Only In Your State” feature crowned one buffet as the best in Connecticut — and that raised a very local question: Do any buffets near Danbury compare?
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The Top 5 Buffets in Connecticut
Topping the statewide list is the Pacific Buffet & Grill in Wallingford, celebrated by Only In Your State as Connecticut’s best. This place is the gold standard, known for its huge seafood selection, sushi bar, hibachi grill, and sheer variety. Crab legs, shrimp, steak, noodles — it’s all here, and it’s why people happily drive across the state for it.
Other standout buffets earning consistent praise include Osaka Hibachi Buffet in Stratford, loved for its cleanliness and sushi options, and Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet in South Plainfield, which boasts hundreds of rotating items and a popular cook-to-order hibachi station. Rounding out the top five are Imperial China Buffet in Watertown a dependable classic, and Royal Buffet Sushi and Grill in New Milford, which is especially important for Greater Danbury diners.
So… What About Buffets Near Danbury?
Here’s the honest truth: Danbury doesn’t have a Pacific-level buffet. But there are a couple of respectable local options. Grand Century Buffet at 1 Padanaram Road remains the city’s most familiar buffet, offering a wide selection at reasonable prices. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done.
Meanwhile, Agogo Asian & Sushi Buffet, 15-19 Backus Ave., has earned strong reviews for quality — especially sushi — even if the buffet itself is smaller than the state’s heavy hitters.
The Bottom Line
If you’re chasing Connecticut’s best buffet, it’s worth the drive. But if you’re staying local, New Milford and Danbury still offer solid options that satisfy the all-you-can-eat craving without a road trip.
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As 2026 begins, Connecticut is gearing up another busy news year. The legislature is in session beginning next month, with numerous items up for consideration that could have an impact on residents. Also, Gov. Ned Lamont is seeking a third term and the entire General Assembly is up for election, which could alter the balance of power in Connecticut.
Also in 2026, new laws on housing, cancer screening, absentee ballots and more went into effect January 1.
But before we get too far into 2026, let’s take a look back at CTNewsJunkie’s biggest stories of 2025, as determined by our readers. In scanning the list of top 10 most-read stories, transportation, elections, new laws, a new state holiday and clean energy emerged as popular reads.
Credit: Olga Maksimava / Shutterstock
Transportation
It is easy to see what weighs most on readers’ minds, as transportation-related stories made up fully half of the 10 most popular stories list.
Four of the top 10 stories (#s 2, 3, 8 and 10 on the list) dealt with traffic cameras. What towns have been approved for them? What towns are applying? What are the rules for using them to enforce speed? How much revenue do they generate? These were all questions on the minds of readers.
The fifth transit-related story, and sixth-most popular overall, dealt with the construction of the new Naugatuck Metro-North train station and overhaul of the surrounding area into a mixed-use community.
New laws
Two of CTNewsJunkie’s top 10 stories of 2025 dealt with new state laws. Our Dec. 19 story about new laws taking effect January 1 came in at #7, and a similar story in June about new laws taking effect July 1 ranked #9 for the year.
Offshore wind
CTNewsJunkie’s coverage of the Revolution Wind project proved popular with readers, but only one story on that topic cracked the annual top 10. Published on Dec. 26, traditionally a slow news day, the story about four northeastern governors demanding a briefing on the alleged national security concerns of offshore wind generation drew enough interest to rank #5 on the annual list.
Light overcomes darkness
Connecticut gained a new state holiday in 2025, and readers made the story about the announcement the fourth-most popular story of the year.
Public Act 25-59 established Diwali as a state holiday. Connecticut is only the second state to recognize the Southeast Asian holiday celebrating the victory of light over darkness. The state holiday officially is the 15th day of the month Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar. In the Gregorian calendar the holiday typically falls in September or October.
Democrats roll in municipal elections
CTNewsJunkie’s most-read story of 2025, by far, was the Nov. 5 story detailing the results of the Nov. 4 municipal elections. Connecticut’s political landscape changed dramatically in one day, with 27 towns flipping from Republican to Democratic leadership. In contrast, one town — Easton — flipped the other way, with a Republican replacing an incumbent Democrat who did not seek reelection.
At just over 36%, voter turnout was about 10% higher than average for an odd-numbered year.
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