NY hearing focuses on cigarette taxes, tribes
NEW YORK (AP) - Groups of American Indians from across the state
are in New York City to defend their right to sell tax-free cigarettes. A Senate committee hearing Tuesday addressed confusion in the law over taxes and the tribes. Smoke shops on New York reservations now sell hundreds of millions of packs of cigarettes each year. Technically, state law requires taxes to be paid on any cigarettes that aren't for the personal use of tribe members. The rules have never been enforced in deference to Indian sovereignty. Some lawmakers and health advocates would like to see the state begin enforcing the law. Arthur "Sugar" Montour, owner of the Seneca brand cigarette company, says any attempt to tax the tribes will be "taking away the birthright of our people." (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |
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