Rally to back taxes on Indian Cigarettes
Supporters of proposed legislation that would force the state to collect sales tax on Cigarettes sold at Native American businesses are rallying today in Seneca Falls.
Supporters of proposed legislation that would force the state to collect sales tax on Cigarettes sold at Native American businesses are rallying today in Seneca Falls. The event starts at 11 a.m. in front of the Fall Street office of Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, the bill's sponsor. Supporters of the proposed legislation, Nozzolio and other elected officials are expected to speak. "The Indian Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee and the (Seneca County) Board of Supervisors believe it's long overdue for (Gov. David Paterson) to enforce the law," said Brad Jones, chairman of the citizens committee. Nozzolio's bill had yet to be delivered to Paterson for his consideration, but Nozzolio has said it would produce about $400 million a year in new revenue for the state. It also would make it fairer to non-Indian businesses that pay the tax, he said. "We feel we should have equal rights," Jones said. "It's not a level-playing field today." The Cayuga Indian Nation, which owns combination gas stations and stores in the town of Seneca Falls and Union Springs, refuses to collect the tax and opposes the measure. Similar legislation passed in 2005 was never implemented after a state Supreme Court judge in Buffalo enjoined the law from being enacted. The judge issued the injunction because the state taxation and finance department failed to create a coupon system for Indians to obtain tax refunds - as is their legal right. The latest bill, passed by both the Assembly and Senate, also does not provide for Indians to get refunded for paying the tax.