Tribal leaders in New York will ask President Barack Obama to prevent the state from imposing a cigarette tax on the reservation.
The state plans to start collecting taxes on the sale of goods to non-Indians on September 1. Tribes say the move violates their treaties and their sovereignty.
Tribal leaders have been meeting continuously to discuss their response to the tax. The Seneca Nation has already filed a lawsuit against the state.
Tribal representatives also held a rally in New York City to protest offensive remarks made by Mayor
Michael Bloomberg (R), who said he told Gov. David Paterson
(D) to grab a "shotgun" and show tribes the "law of the land."
Get the Story:Tribes to write to Obama for help in cigarette dispute (The Albany Times-Union 8/24)
Indians rally in NYC against Bloomberg’s racist blooper (Indian Country Today 8/24)
Michael Bloomberg's comments enrage native nations (The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle 8/25) Relevant Documents:
ATF Letter on Tribal Consultation (May 19, 2010) Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act:
H.R.1676 | S.1147 Related Stories:
New York tribes united in opposition to state's tobacco efforts (08/19)
Seneca Nation sues to halt state taxation of reservation tobacco (08/18)
New York mayor wants tribes shown the 'shotgun' for tax issues (8/16)
Editorial: New York must take action against tribes over tobacco (8/16)
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Editorial: New York tribes get more business by avoiding taxes (8/13)
State to return tobacco products and truck to Seneca retailer (8/12)
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