Negotiations over cigarette tax will precede any action by the state

Posted by Philip Anselmo on January 26, 2009 - 10:08am
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The Buffalo News reports this morning that Gov. David Paterson will meet and negotiate with the leaders of the Seneca Nation before any shipments of cigarettes to Seneca retailers are halted. Aaron Besecker reports:

During a rally Sunday just south of the Route 438 Thruway overpass, [Seneca President Barry E. Snyder Sr.] read a letter from Gov. David A. Paterson in which the governor indicated his desire to begin talks with the Indian nation about the dispute over tax collection on cigarettes sold by Native American merchants to non-Indians.

It sounds as if the governor is considering backing off from enforcing the law that he himself signed in December that requires wholesalers to show to the state tax department that they are not selling tax-free cigarettes to retailers. If they fail to comply, they could be charged with perjury. In the meantime, a justice of the state Supreme Court "issued a temporary restraining order ... that blocks the state from enforcing its policy."

Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook said he would not comment on a private conversation between the governor and Snyder, but he did say a negotiated compromise on the cigarette tax issue “is an avenue [Paterson] would like to take.”

“The governor sees it as a window of opportunity,” Hook said.

What exactly would Gov. Paterson negotiate? This seems to be a pretty cut and dry issue. Either the state enforces the law or the law is repealed. Can you see any compromise on this?

Posted by daniel cherry on January 26, 2009 - 1:13pm
Native Americans have suffered enough.I for one, do not agree at all, with taxing Native Americans.We live in a state, with the highest taxes anywhere.Not that i would condone smoking.They also have tax free gas, and water.Yes N Y S taxes for water.I would sure be interested to see a poll on this.Are they going to attack the Native Americans again?How are they going to ever enforce the law if it did pass?Everything we see here was their land.Our ancestors stole it from them.I sure, would have liked to have seen, how it was then.Wouldn't you?
Posted by John Roach on January 26, 2009 - 4:41pm
If they lowered the taxes on gas, cigaretts and such, nobody would drive to the REZ to buy the stuff. People go there to save money. That would end the whole problem, but then they might have to make real budget cuts in Albany.
Posted by lawrence S clark on January 27, 2009 - 1:13am
If they lowered the taxes on these items
Tribes would lose money
State would get more sales
More money
That money would pay whatever debt off?
or just help?

Why "might" they then have to cut?

If you're going after indian money to pay your bills
I don't think cuts are anywhere in the discussion
They could just make cuts now and allow the indians their money
Right?

What am I missing?



How legal would it be
how about plain ethical?
To cut taxes solely on the items indian reservations sell?
It seems to me
Tax-free is the "Award" the indians were given
To take away that award by taking away taxes in the state means you've still
In the spirit of things, at least
Broken the treaty
Posted by John Roach on January 27, 2009 - 6:23am
Thanks Laz.
Posted by Ron C Welker on January 27, 2009 - 7:00am
To funny John, I think the name has changed but the style remains.
Posted by lawrence S clark on January 27, 2009 - 9:04pm
To call me Laz shows Laz had an identity here just like anyone else
I could be held accountable for anything I were to say just as anyone else here

So tell me where real names makes a difference
I don't know John Roach
I know John Roach the internet persona
I don't care if "John Roach" exists
All I care about is that John Roach is identifiable
That way I'm not chasing around ghost-like transient entities


John, why won't you just answer the question of why cuts would possibly be needed after receiving -perhaps- upwards of a billion bucks from taxes/money collected from additional sales in stores due to lowered taxes on those items

I really don't get that
help me out

Ron
Who changes their style? You sure haven't.
Posted by John Roach on January 27, 2009 - 9:20pm
Yep,
You're Laz.
Why do you lie about who you are?
Anyway, read what I said. If NYS cut taxes, they would have less money to spend (and we would have more). Then NY would have to make cuts. They are not going to do either. Of course since you insist on lying about being in CA, why would you care. Do they tax sales on Indian lands there? Do they have the same probelms?

I expect that your afraid to be known because of your goofy posts and past lies about your identity. You could just say that and that would be the end of it.

How's CA toady?
Posted by Jim Hink on January 28, 2009 - 7:32am
NYS gets enuff money from the Indians thru the money that they give too NYS over the casino's that they run,, They NYS should leave the Indians alone,,