BUFFALO, N.Y. — A federal judge in Buffalo has extended a temporary order blocking tax collections on cigarettes sold by two New York Indian nations. Lawyers for the St. Regis Mohawk tribe of northern New York and the Unkechaugs (UNK’-uh-chugs) of Long Island argued Tuesday against the state’s plans to apply its $4.35-per-pack sales tax on cigarettes sold by tribal...
BUFFALO, N.Y. — A federal judge in Buffalo has extended a temporary order blocking tax collections on cigarettes sold by two New York Indian nations.
Lawyers for the St. Regis Mohawk tribe of northern New York and the Unkechaugs (UNK’-uh-chugs) of Long Island argued Tuesday against the state’s plans to apply its $4.35-per-pack sales tax on cigarettes sold by tribal retailers to non-Indian customers.
Judge Richard Arcara extended until Nov. 12 a temporary order blocking the levy while he considers whether to grant a more permanent preliminary injunction.
Arcara recently denied a preliminary injunction sought by the Seneca and Cayuga nations, but gave those tribes time to appeal.
The state sees the tax as a potential $200 million-a-year revenue source.