The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is joining the fight against a tobacco tax bill in New York.

The tribe says the bill will hurt the economy in northern New York. Tribal leaders said tobacco sales generate more than $2 million a year for the area.

The Seneca Nation also opposes the bill and is urging Gov. David Paterson (D) to veto it. Paterson last week said he wants to negotiate a solution with the tribes.

“We commend the Governor for taking the position he would like to meet with the Indian Nation leadership in the state to discuss this issue,” Chief Monica Jacobs said in a statement. “The tribe has always been open to having such a dialogue."

Get the Story:
Tribe says state effort on tax will harm NNY (The Watertown Daily Gazette 8/26)

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Seneca Nation lobbies governor on tobacco tax bill (8/14)
Seneca Nation opposes tobacco tax bill (8/12)