Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno (D) rejected Gov. George Pataki's request to delay imposing the state's sales tax on Indian businesses.

Pataki, a Republican, said he wants to avoid confrontations with tribal members, who shut down a major highway when state taxation was last proposed. Some say Pataki, in particular, is worried about what might happen during the Republican National Convention, which will be held in New York City starting August 30.

Meanwhile, a group called Fair Application of Cigarette Taxes is urging Pataki to start collecting taxes on the sale of goods to non-Indians. The group claims 2,000 jobs will be created.

Get the Story:
Jobs cited in push to tax reservation sales (The Buffalo News 1/28)
Group pushes state to tax Indian sales (The Albany Times-Union 1/28)

Related Stories:
Pataki calls for delay in state taxation plan (01/22)
Poll shows N.Y. residents oppose state tax plan (12/09)
N.Y. delays implementation of Indian tax rules (11/10)
Seneca Nation leaders lobby against tax effort (11/7)
Seneca Nation plans lawsuit over state tax plan (11/6)
Seneca Nation launches ad campaign against taxes (10/28)
Oneida Nation near deal with state on taxation (10/23)
Mohawk Tribe protesting state's taxation plan (09/18)
N.Y. tribes opposing state plan to collect tax (9/16)