Several cities and towns in Madison County, New York, are being asked to pay for an amicus brief in Oneida Nation's U.S. Supreme Court case.

The brief cost $26,896, according to The Syracuse Post-Standard. It supports the city of Sherrill in its tax dispute against the tribe.

The city tried to foreclose on land owned by the tribe. But the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the land was Indian Country, free from state and local taxation.

The Supreme Court will hear the dispute January 11, 2005.

Get the Story:
City of Oneida balks at bill for court brief (The Syracuse Post-Standard 12/14)

Relevant Documents:
Briefs | Docket Sheet No. 03-855

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation - http://www.oneida-nation.net
NARF-NCAI Tribal Supreme Court Project - http://doc.narf.org/sc/index.html

Decision in Oneida Indian Nation v. City of Sherrill:
Majority Opinion | Van Graafeiland Dissent

Decision in Cayuga Indian Nation v. Village of Union Springs:
Decision | Order (April 23, 2004)

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