Both candidates for governor of New York say they will take a tough stance against tribes when it comes to tobacco.

Democrat Andrew Cuomo, who currently serves as attorney general, supports the state's effort to impose a tobacco tax on reservations. "I look forward to enforcing the law. I think it's been a long time coming," he told The Buffalo News.

Republican Carl Paladino, who has the backing of the Tea Party movement, feels the same way. He said he will send state troopers to reservations if tribes won't collect the tax.

"Let one [Indian protester] stand on top of a police car in my administration; it would be the last time they stood on top of a police car," Paladino said in a recent campaign appearance.

Nearly every tribe in the state has filed a lawsuit against the tobacco tax, which is currently on hold as a result of the litigation. Tribes say the tax violates their treaties and their right to self-governance.

Get the Story:
Regardless of who wins, expect a battle over Indian tax issue (The Buffalo News 10/11)
Arcara gets tribe cigarette tax case from Albany (The Buffalo News 10/9)

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