National
Oneida Nation payment to city seen as 'hush money'


The Oneida Nation of New York is giving $100,000 to the city of Oneida Common but one Republican official objected, saying the tribe isn't paying property taxes.

Mayor Ted Hanifin, a Democrat, rejected claims that the donation was "hush money" to ignore the tribe's land claim and tax issues. Republican county supervisor Scott Henderson said the tribe owes the city $721,000 per year in taxes.

The gift came with no strings attached, a tribal spokesperson said. Under a separate program, the tribe gives grants to communities provided they remove tribal property from the tax rolls.

Get the Story:
City gets $100,000 from Oneidas (The Syracuse Post-Standard 4/7)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation - http://www.oneida-nation.net

Related Stories:
Oneida Nation wins treaty lands case (7/22)
Oneida Nation awaits ruling on tax status (04/29)
Taxes of Oneida land questioned (05/15)
Judge: Oneida land is Indian Country (6/7)
Oneida Nation disputes tax lawsuit (2/1)