From Crane Collapses to Politics as Unusual: 2008 in Review

Rangel Has Four Rent-Stabilized Apartments, July 11: The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee became a target for the press starting in the summer. The NY Times reported that Representative Charles Rangel had not one, not two, not three but four rent-stabilized apartments, which didn't sit well with constituents who have been evicted from their lone rent-stabilized apartments. Then the Post found out about his vacation villa and unreported income from it, which lead to disclosures that he owed federal taxes too. The Times more recently questioned a large donation to a school being named after him from an oil executive who benefited from a tax loophole Rangel preserved. All of this is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee, which may have a report next month. (Photograph of Rangel explaining his Dominican Republic tax situation from the AP)