Paterson worried about tribal unrest re tax

[dgriffin]

Paterson worried about tribal unrest over state cigarette tax


NEW YORK —Gov. David Paterson is concerned that members of the stat’s Indian tribes may engage in “violence and civil unrest” if he attempts to tax cigarettes sold at reservation smoke shops.

Said attorney David Vickers, president of the Upstate Citizens for Equality, “I think that if public policy is created and pursued or not based on whether a segment of the population may get violent or not, you have an extremely weak public policy maker on your hands,” Vickers said. “I am astounded that we have had four governors who are afraid to do their job.”

More affronts to the Oneida Indian Nation’s tribal sovereignty would invitably be met with strong reaction, spokesman Mark Emery said.


I guess that's a threat.


ARTICLE AT:

www.uticaod.com/news/x1365711055/Paterson-worried-about-tribal-unrest-over-state-cigarette-tax?popular=true

[rodwilson]

Put border crossings outside the entrances. When a US resident returns to US soil, have them declare the purchases that they take off of Nation land for taxation or duty.

They can't survive without the US, the state and the county and they need to understand that. What will they do, fire all non native employees? Good luck running the place without them. Close up? Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. If they get violent, arrest them.

I actually support their sovereignty but if they're not interested in cooperating with those who make their fortunes a reality, it's time to intervene and teach some gratitude and humility.

[concerned]

I understand that there is a huge demand on war paint all of a sudden. If the Indians decide to attack New York State would that be a matter of Homeland Security, sincee that would be classified as a terrorist attack. The National Guard is on high alert. I buy my cig's online from a certain Indian Reservation, I hope I am not visited by the FBI. I'd go completely nuts in Prison.!!! Unless of course they put me in solitary confinement and then I would be perfectly happy.

[dgriffin]

Seneca Nation targets New York Thruway in tax dispute
By Carolyn Thompson
Buffalo, New York (AP)

January '09

The Seneca Indian Nation is preparing to collect tolls on sections of the New York State Thruway that run through reservation land to protest the state’s plans to tax cigarettes destined for their discount smokeshops.

The tribal council also has authorized Seneca President Barry Snyder Sr. to spend $1 million to hire “emergency response personnel” to protect the Seneca people against potential action by the state and to ask incoming President Barack Obama for federal troops if necessary.

Sounds like insurrection to me.

Snyder outlined the plans during mid-January in response to Gov. David Paterson’s Dec. 15 signing of a law that would disrupt the Senecas’ $313 million retail sector by enforcing tax collections on cigarette wholesalers who supply reservation businesses.

The law, set to take effect next month to help the state close a budget deficit, would likely raise the cost to Indian retailers and force them to charge prices more in line with non-Indian competitors.

“Our concern as nation leaders justifies taking any and all prudent actions to protect and defend the nation’s economy and the way of life of the Seneca people,” Snyder said.

Those actions include charging $2 for every vehicle that drives the Thruway, Snyder said, with the system for collecting the tolls to be determined.

A spokeswoman for Paterson, who took office last spring, said the governor wants to forge relationships with all of New York’s Indian tribes.

I'd rather have them obey the law.

CONTINUED AT:

indiancountrynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5502&Itemid=109