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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2002

South Dakota has made "little progress" resolving issues of tribal sovereignty, The Sioux Falls Argus Leader says in an editorial today.

"Let's face it," the paper writes. "South Dakota has made little progress toward reconciliation since the death of Gov. George Mickelson in 1993."

The paper cites two examples where the state is trying to tax tribal businesses. The state claims the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe owes motor fuel taxes for activities that occur on Indian land.

The second involves the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, which has a 2 percent tribal road tax and Indian hiring preferences. Gov. Bill Janklow (R) has sued the Bush administration, saying the tribe has overstepped its authority.

"There are legitimate differences of opinion," the paper writes. "If it takes a court to settle them, that's what we have to do."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Seek reconciliation (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 10/23)

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State disputes 'illegal jurisdiction' of tribe (10/10)