The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes filed a lawsuit against the Oklahoma Tax Commission, alleging unfair treatment and discrimination over tobacco taxes.

The tribe had a compact with the state but it expired. During negotiations, the state raised the tax rate, locking the tribe out of the retail supply chain, according to the lawsuit.

The tribe says the state is offering a compact with negative provisions. “Under the state’s proposed compact, the state will double its existing tax revenue stream and simultaneously diminish the tribes’ net income,” the lawsuit states, The Oklahoma Journal Record reported.. “The tribes will also be forced to cut already scarce jobs and services for its tribal members. The unemployment rate for the tribes exceeds 60 percent today.”

State Treasurer Scott Meacham said the tribe is being offered a deal with provisions found in other tobacco compacts.

Get the Story:
Two Oklahoma tribes sue over cigarette tax increase (The Oklahoma Journal Record 1/7)

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