Narragansett Tribe will challenge smoke shop ruling

The Narragansett Tribe's council voted unanimously to appeal a lawsuit subjecting the tribe to state taxation.

A federal judge ruled late last month that the tribe was violating state law by operating a tax-free smoke shop. Even though the facility is located on the reservation, the judge said the tribe is bound by state criminal and civil jurisdiction.

The appeal goes to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. The court has not been favorable to tribal interests in recent years. It refused to shield two Maine tribes from a state freedom of information act and has kept the Narragansett Tribe from gaming on its lands by upholding an appropriations rider.

Get the Story:
Tribe plans to appeal smoke-shop judgment (The Providence Journal 1/8)
Username: indianz@indianz.com, Password: indianz
Tribe to appeal judge's smoke shop ruling (The Chariho Times 1/8)

Get the Decision:
Narragansett Tribe v. Rhode Island (December 29, 2003)