"If any individual or group decided to disrupt traffic on a public highway in New York state, they would be dealt with in accordance with laws.

That’s exactly what should happen if the Seneca Indian Nation attempts to collect tolls on the New York State Thruway in western New York.

Last week, the Senecas said they are preparing to collect tolls on sections of the Thruway that run through reservation land to protest the state’s plans to tax cigarettes destined for their discount smokeshops. Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder Sr. said he is mobilizing an emergency response team of military veterans to protect Seneca land and wants the federal government to send in the military to protect its sovereign territory.

This is nonsense. Collecting the tax is supported by the U.S. Supreme Court. It ruled in 1994 that New York state could collect taxes on tobacco and gasoline sold by Native Americans to non-Indians. Unfortunately, past governors haven’t had the courage to do it."

Get the Story:
Our view: State can’t renege on tobacco tax (The Utica Observer Dispatch 1/20)

Related Stories:
Seneca Nation prepares for 'worst' in tax dispute (1/14)
Editorial: Seneca Nation blows clouds of smoke (12/18)
New York tribes vow fight over tobacco tax bill (12/16)
New York governor expected to sign tribal tobacco bill (12/15)
Editorial: Tax tribal tobacco sales in New York (12/15)
New York tobacco taxation bill sent to governor (12/12)
Seneca Nation worried about New York taxation push (12/9)
Anti-smoking groups back tribal tobacco bill (11/12)
Seneca Nation runs campaign against tobacco bill (11/11)
New York City seeks smokeshop injunction (10/29)
Editorial: Indian smokeshops and organized crime (10/27)
Editorial: New York City finds a new foe in tribes (10/10)
More than 30M cartons sold on New York reservations (10/2)
New York City mayor sues Indian smokeshops (9/30)
New York governor pressed on tribal tobacco bill (09/04)
Editorial: Negotiate tribal tobacco deal in New York (9/3)
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe opposes tobacco tax bill (8/26)
Seneca Nation lobbies governor on tobacco tax bill (8/14)
Seneca Nation opposes tobacco tax bill (8/12)