By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – State lawmakers have agreed on a way to finally collect state taxes on cigarettes sold by Native American retailers to non-Indians.
The bill approved by the Legislature would prohibit manufacturers from selling cigarettes to any company or group that ignores the state's tax law.
Seneca Nation of Indians President Barry Snyder says the state is once again trying to undermine the nation's sovereignty. He says the Senecas will "not tolerate" what he described as a "backdoor effort" to curtail trade.