Posted on 01/13/2009 6:01:52 PM PST by Dan Nunn
BUFFALO -- It appears the New York State Thruway will again figure prominently in a dispute between the Seneca Indian Nation and the state over cigarette taxes.
On Tuesday, Seneca President Barry Snyder outlined the nations response to a law signed by Gov. David Paterson that would ban manufacturers from selling unstamped cigarettes to wholesalers who supply reservation stores.
Snyder says tribal councilors are now devising a system to collect tolls of $2 per car on the Thruway, where it passes through the tribes Cattaraugus Reservation in western New York. He called the interstate an illegal, unlicensed business.
In 1997, the Senecas burned tires and shut down part of the Thruway following an attempt that year by the state to tax Indian suppliers.
There are a few of us that would send truckloads of tires.
I second that!
Never stand between a liberal and a tax they are trying to collect. This simple fact trumps all so called liberal ideology on a host of issues. They’d have you killed to collect a roll of pennies.
I hope the Seneca Nation fights this tooth and nail.
I’ll supply the Gas and Matches
Hint: Last time it turned into a shooting war..
Another end run by the liberals to get undeserved money.
There are ways to deal with rioting Native Americans.
I think this was an episode of The Sopranos.
Are they sovereign nations or not? Which is it? The leftwing, kook DemocRATS need to make up their minds. Count me in on sending them some tires!
I hope the Sencas win this one.
Maybe someone will count the number of cops in NY State and report it. I'm serious. There are more cops at the town, city, county and state level than anyplace else in the country. All union and they need the tax to pay their wages and pension. A conflict of interest? Nawwwww. They are dedicated public servants.
I'm rooting for the Indians, at the very least to stir the sh*t up in the Empire State.
Mastic tribe's suit: Suffolk cops harassed residents
Treaty after treaty has been violated against America's indignant people in the past, and this is no exception. Mainly the state is greedy for $$$ due to its long track record of waste and fraud, and so targets one of the few areas where increased revenue wasn't available - Indian Reservations - thereby breaking yet another treaty
Patterson is an idiot. Relative to the number of residents of NY those traveling to the reservations to buy cigs is minimal. If he wants to raise $$$$ with higher tobacco taxes-he should just tack another $2 a pack tax onto cigs sold in the state and leave the reservations alone.
I drove into that county multiple times about 2-3 years ago. Right on the reservation line was a huge black sign with white letters saying something like “Honor The Treaties.”
Happy New Year, Shyla! :-)
Happy New year to you also.
Enjoying the weather??? Plfff...
We drive that way a few times a year. Friends of ours have cabins up that way. Beautiful area.
Of course, when time makes it possible, we make a stop at the casino and make a donation..... : )
In the old days, the Palefaces would cart in a couple barrels of whiskey and the Seneca Nation opposition would melt away. These days, the Palefaces of the NY Government will cart in a couple suitcases of cash. Same result, although the Seneca won’t get quite as drunk.
It's not a violation of the treaties. The Supreme Court of the United States has consistently ruled that a state may legally tax sales to non-Indians without violating federal law or the "treaties."
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