Here is a article from the NY Post about the financial disclosures of New York members of Congress. Nita Lowey is the wealthiest with assets ranging from $15 million to $67 million and no liabilities. On the other end of the spectrum is Eliot Engel of the Bronx who reports $50,000 in credit card debt.
Three things to think about:
ReplyDelete1) Eliot Engel is a 1st-class junket junky (a junket being a trip by an official at public expense).
2) Eliot Engel took improper tax breaks by saying that his primary residence is in Maryland, way outside his New York district (see the article below).
3) Eliot Engel reported a huge credit card debt.
THIS JUST DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.
Anyway, read this:
NY Daily News
March 13, 2009
ELIOT ENGEL, OF MARYLAND?
BY Michael McAuliff
It looks like Charlie Rangel isn't the only New York Congressman with an interesting tax situation on one of his homes.
Maryland officials are revoking a tax exemption that Bronx Rep. Eliot Engel has been taking for years that's available only to people who list their homes in the state as their primary residence, saving himself about $7,000, [according to the AP](http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1623850).
Engel usually describes himself as a lifelong resident of the Bronx, but like most other members of Congress, maintains a home in the D.C.-area. In his case, the $1 million house is in a high-end part of Potomac.
Officials yanked Engel's tax breaks once before, but he appealed, and got them back. Engel insists he's just trying to play by the rules.
"I have always abided by whatever determination the Montgomery County Assessment Office makes," he said. "My house is currently classified as 'non-owner occupied.' I have never asked for any special privileges for being a Congressman."
READ MORE:
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/2009/03/eliot-engel-of-maryland.html
LOL ... I like the the question "Eliot Engel, of Maryland?" ... very clever!
ReplyDeleteIsn't there something wrong about not really living in the district that you supposedly represent in Congress?
ReplyDelete