The Week in Brief

Study provides fuel for Tweed's expansion phase

"This study is interesting because it provides scientific and quantitative data to substantiate our beliefs in the strong economic impact of improving the airport," Roger Joyce, Tweed Regional Airport Authority chairman, said. He acknowledged that improvements to Tweed are much-needed. "The demand for air service is high, and admittedly what Tweed-New Haven provides is terrible," Joyce said. "A strong regional airport is an engine of economic growth for the area."

Currently, the airport only features one regional carrier, U.S. Airways Express. The airport authority is negotiating with the city to become Tweed's official operator. It believes that plans to improve runway lengths, services, parking, and rental car agencies will attract travelers who now fly to and from New York, Newark, or Providence.

"This study gives us the motivation to continue with improvements that are currently under discussion," Joyce said.

--Melissa DePetris

Levin discloses budgets or 1998-1999

The operating budget has been set at approximately $1.1 billion, which means a balanced budget for the second consecutive year. The Administration attributes the ease with which this was accomplished to a $15.3 million transfer from the operating budget to the capital budget and to the rapid growth of the endowment, which stands at a greater fraction of the entire budget than it has been for the past 25 years.

Levin also addressed the controversy concerning Yale's tobacco investments. "The Corporation held a full discussion and we took the advice of the committee, deciding not to divest our tobacco holdings," he explained.

"However, we are still committed to exercising our voice as responsible shareholders," Levin added. "We will continue to oppose marketing to minors...and we shall insist that the tobacco companies label all their products with health warnings."

--Melissa DePetris

Audience joins radio show at Huffington Tea

But before Huffington launched into her role as an "equal oppurtunity offender," attacking both Republicans and Democrats for failures on finance reform and tobacco issues, she spoke to the crowd of more than 40 students about her career beginnings and her philosophy of American politics. Despite saying she wanted "sex off the table"--a line which drew many laughs--Huffington discussed her stance on recent issues, including the Clinton sex scandals.

"If we had every politician pass the sexual purity test, we'd have Al Gore versus Dan Quayle [for president]. Those are some depressing choices," she said.

Huffington also mentioned the need for the public to become more politically involved. "I want to reach those Americans that have tuned out [from politics]," she said. "That's why satire and entertainment are so important."

--Ayon Nandi

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