The New York Association of Convenience Stores submitted legislative testimony on Wednesday, calling on Gov. George Pataki (R) to collect cigarette and fuel taxes on the state's reservations.

Starting March 1, state law authorizes the collection of taxes from the sale of goods to non-Indians. But Pataki has made a policy decision to delay the taxes for one year -- after he has left office, the New York group says.

The convenience stores claim tribal retailers are cheating the state. "It's a full-scale tax evasion epidemic that costs licensed retailers $1 billion or more in gross sales each year, and costs our state at least $900 million a year in lost tax revenue, not to mention what local governments lose, or the additional loss of motor fuel taxes," the group's testimony stated.

The group is holding a teleconference briefing on Monday to discuss the issue.

Get the Story:
NY Gov shouldn't delay Indian cigarette tax: lobby (Reuters 2/15)

Relevant Links:
New York Association of Convenience Stores - http://www.nyacs.org

Related Stories:
Pataki to delay collection of cigarette taxes (01/19)
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe won't enter tobacco deal (12/07)
Pataki shifts stance on reservation taxation (02/24)
Pataki cites sovereignty in veto of Indian tax bill (11/16)
Pataki expected to veto Indian tax legislation (11/12)
Convenience stores blame revenue loss on Indians (05/25)
Seneca Nation commissions study on state tax plan (05/12)
New York lawmakers press state taxation on tribes (04/28)
Pataki wants to delay Indian taxation indefinitely (02/11)
Top N.Y. lawmaker rejects call to delay Indian tax (01/29)
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)