Oneida Nation said to owe $248M in taxes

Friday, May 25, 2007  

A New York state lawmaker claims the Oneida Nation owes $248 million in property and sales taxes.

David Townsend, a Republican, mailed 15,000 fliers to upstate residents to urge them to tell the tribe to pay taxes. "This is costing local residents and businesses millions and millions of dollars," Townsend said at a press conference, The Syracuse Post-Standard reported.

The Oneida Nation says it is immune from taxes due to its sovereign status. A federal judge on Monday said the tribe should be compensated for land that was taken by the state.

Get the Story:
Flier: Tell Oneidas to pay their taxes (The Syracuse Post-Standard 5/25)

Court Decision:
Oneida Nation v. New York (May 21, 2007)

Draft Environmental Impact Statement:
Oneida Nation of New York Conveyance of Lands Into Trust (November 2006)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation Trust - http://www.oneidanationtrust.com
Indian Nation Fee-to-Trust Land Acquisition Applications in New York State - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ogc/lands.html
Oneida Nation, New York - http://www.oneida-nation.net

Sherrill v. Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]

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