Indianz.Com > News > New York tribes vow fight over tobacco taxation

New York tribes vow fight over tobacco taxation
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Filed Under: Business | Law | Politics

Tensions ran high at New York Senate hearing on tobacco taxation in Indian Country on Tuesday.

One lawmaker walked out after being booed by tribal members, according to news reports.Sen. Martin Golden, a Republican, said the U.S. victory over the British during the Revolutionary War authorized taxation of tribal retailers.

Other lawmakers suggested that tribal businesses should pay taxes because tribal members benefit from services provided by the state government. But tribal leaders said they would fight efforts to impose the state's tax on their reservations.

"We will never allow the state to tax our commerce," said Seneca Nation council member J.C. Seneca, The Jamestown Post-Journal reported. "No other government has the right to interfere. We will fight to uphold these rights now and forever.''

Past efforts to impose the tax have led to protests and clashes. Gov. David Paterson (D) has asked three U.S. Attorneys in New York for a "threat assessment" if he tries to do the same.

Get the Story:
NY Indians Descend on NYC Cigarette Hearing (Long Island Press 10/28)
Mohawks would fight cigarette tax (The Watertown Daily Times 10/28)
Stating Their Case (The Jamestown Post-Journal 10/28)
NY fears cigarette tax dispute could spur violence (AP 10/28)
Senecas Say No to Sales Tax Demands (WNED-AM 10/28)
State Senate Hearing Explores Indian Tax Issue (WBFO 10/28)
Hearing focuses on cigarette sales on Indian reservations (Newsday 10/27)
Seneca Nation members board bus to Manhattan (The Dunkirk Observer 10/27)
Press Release: New York Considers Collecting Indian Cigarette Taxes (NACS 10/28)