Author Archives: Michael Alexander

A month after Connecticut’s civil unions legislation took effect, employee benefits experts say legal issues surrounding the rights granted to same-sex couples remain unresolved. The statute instituting civil unions states that they confer “all benefits, protections and responsibilities” of opposite-sex marriages. But employment benefits lawyer Karen Clute and same-sex marriage rights activist Anne Stanback said »

While some Connecticut representatives have openly criticized this year’s federal Homeland Security Act, New Haven officials said the bill’s risk-based allocation of funding may actually benefit the city. With President George W. Bush ’68 poised to sign the $31.9 billion security bill, New Haven officials said the city stands to benefit from a new provision »

Although landmark legislation instituting civil unions for same-sex couples in Connecticut went into effect Saturday, few couples showed up to City Hall yesterday to take part in the process. The new law marks the first time in the country that civil unions have been enacted by a legislature rather than a court order. But when »

Little more than a week remains before Connecticut becomes the first state in the country to offer same-sex civil unions by legislative act rather than by court order. As a result of a bill passed by the state legislature last April, town and city clerks’ offices across Connecticut — in New Haven’s case, the Office »

Mayor John DeStefano Jr.’s gubernatorial campaign gained its second boost since Friday, as Democratic U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro endorsed the New Haven mayor yesterday in front of the state capital. With last Friday’s announcement by Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz ’83 that she would not run for governor, the field of announced Democratic candidates has »

Ward 2 Aldermanic candidate Gina Calder ’03 has a lot to say about what she says are her ward’s biggest issues: education, crime, and development. Going door to door on Kensington Ave., one of the poorest sections of the ward, to secure votes before Tuesday’s Democratic primary, Calder promised residents more opportunities for youth, a »

A snowy season may have sent some towns’ budgets into the red, but help from the federal government is on the way. At Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s request, President Bush has granted emergency aid to the entire state for the massive blizzard over the weekend of Jan. 22. Because of Bush’s declaration, the Federal Emergency »

The recent blizzard that smothered much of Connecticut in more than a foot of snow has strained New Haven’s snow removal budget, and clean-up costs might soon deplete the city’s remaining funds. The state government is seeking federal relief for Connecticut cities, but snowplows will continue to clear New Haven streets regardless, city officials said. »

To the U.S. Army, he was Staff Sgt. Thomas E. Vitagliano of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment. To his family, his friends and his fiancee, he was Tommy. To military buddies like Chris Demenski, he was Vito. And to Demenski’s two-year-old daughter Shelby Lynne Demenski, he had another name — “Uncle Vito.” Shelby Lynne »

Citing increased fares, clogged highways and leaky train cars, Connecticut commuters and local representatives have been demanding a remedy for the condition of transportation throughout the state for some time. Responding to the complaints, Gov. M. Jodi Rell promised significant improvements to rail and road transportation earlier this week. At a rally Tuesday designed to »

According to the Yale College Program of Study, Credit/D/Fail is an option intended to aid academic experimentation. Despite repeated changes to the system, however, many students who take advantage of it said they are unaware of its intended purpose, uncertain about its ramifications, and unlikely to seek advice when considering it. Yale’s reputation was in »

Last night at 6:45, Yale’s history-making women’s volleyball team crowded around a television at the Ray Tompkins House to watch the announcement of the field of 64 for the Elis’ first-ever NCAA tournament. To their surprise, players learned they could look forward to a home game for the first two rounds. This Thursday at 7:30 »