Business
Oklahoma tribes criticize emergency tobacco rule


Three tribes in eastern Oklahoma say an emergency tobacco tax ruled signed by Gov. Brad Henry (D) on Friday will hurt Indian businesses.

Henry imposed the rule to stop tribally licensed tobacco stores from selling cigarettes with the cheapest possible tobacco stamps. The practice emerged as tribal licensed stores began selling wholesale to each other.

The rule doesn't apply to smoke shops run directly by tribes. But the Osage Nation plans to sue, Chief Jim Gray said. The Cherokee Nation and the Muscogee Creek Nation also oppose the rule.

Get the Story:
Tribes fault Henry for cigarette tax rule (The Oklahoman 4/8)
pwpwd

Relevant Links:
Oklahoma Tax Commission - http://www.oktax.state.ok.us

Related Stories:
Tribal-owned tobacco shops exempt from rules (03/14)
Gover to mediate Osage Nation tobacco dispute (3/3)
Osage Nation wins arbitration request for tobacco tax (3/1)
Oklahoma tribal retailers subject to new tax rule (2/22)
Opinion: Unfair advantage for tribal smoke shops (2/20)
Oklahoma governor seeks to crack down on tribes (12/13)
Tribal tobacco collections fail to meet projections (12/12)
Editorial: Tribes skirting state tobacco tax law (11/28)
Oklahoma lacks authority to enforce tobacco pacts (11/18)
Oklahoma leaders say state relations are improving (10/31)
State threatens Oklahoma tribes over taxes (10/10)
State says Oklahoma tribes not paying enough taxes (09/13)
States not willing to credit tribes for sharing (12/17)
Delaware chief opposes tobacco tax hike in Okla. (03/03)
Okla. governor seeks big increase in tobacco tax (01/28)
Okla. Senate approves tribal gaming bill (2/19)
Sac and Fox Treasurer: Okla. governor insults tribes (02/05)