State judge temporarily blocks Indian cigarette tax
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A New York State judge has issued a stay against the state, temporarily preventing them from collecting taxes on the sale of Indian cigarettes to non-native customers.
Judge Samuel Green in Rochester issued a stay earlier Wednesday, forcing the state to back down from its plans to collect taxes beginning the same day.
This comes just one day after a federal court judge in Buffalo issued a temporary restraining order also blocking the state from collecting taxes on Indian cigarettes.
In response to the news, Seneca Nation Indian President Barry Snyder issued this statement: "We are extremely relieved that now all Indian nations within New York are protected from the state’s collection efforts, while efforts continue in both state and federal courts to continue our challenge of the State's misguided taxing scheme."
A spokesperson for Governor David Paterson said the governor is disappointed with the decision but believes the state will ultimately prevail in the matter.