Gov. David Paterson (D) said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) made "inappropriate" remarks about the state's tribes.

Paterson said it was "dangerous" for Bloomberg to suggest a confrontation with tribes over the collection of a tobacco tax. "The state police tell us over and over again that there could be violence and death as a result of some of the measures we're taking," Paterson said on WOR-AM.

"So I really feel in this case the mayor's remarks are inappropriate," Paterson said.

Paterson still plans on enforcing state taxes on the sale of tobacco to non-Indians. The plan goes into effect on September 1.

“I’m going to maintain this policy because we are not interfering with their treaties. We are leveling the playing field for our commercial establishments right here in New York State who are being gouged because what the Indians are doing by selling cigarettes tax free on their property,” Paterson said.

Bloomberg had told Paterson to "get yourself a cowboy hat and a shotgun" in order to deal with tribes.

Get the Story:
Gov. Paterson slams Mayor Bloomberg over 'inappropriate' comments on getting cig taxes from Indians (The New York Daily News 8/26)
Paterson: Cowboy hat or not, it’s not that easy (The Albany Times-Union 8/26)

Relevant Documents:
ATF Letter on Tribal Consultation (May 19, 2010)

Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act:
H.R.1676 | S.1147

Related Stories:
Column: Mayor alienates Indians who helped build New York City (8/25)
Editorial: New York City mayor must apologize for cowboy remark (8/25)
New York tribes continue meetings over state tobacco tax efforts (8/25)
New York tribes united in opposition to state's tobacco efforts (08/19)
Seneca Nation sues to halt state taxation of reservation tobacco (08/18)
New York mayor wants tribes shown the 'shotgun' for tax issues (8/16)
Editorial: New York must take action against tribes over tobacco (8/16)
Judge won't continue injunction against tobacco trafficking law (8/13)
Editorial: New York tribes get more business by avoiding taxes (8/13)
State to return tobacco products and truck to Seneca retailer (8/12)
Tribal retailers see business boost after New York tobacco hike (8/11)
Seneca Nation business owner blasts state seizure of tobacco (8/10)
Reward doubled over derailment attempt on Seneca Nation land (07/23)
County lawmaker eyes support on tax free Seneca Nation tobacco (7/21)
Judge extends PACT Act restraining order for Seneca businesses (7/8)
Seneca Nation smoke shops shut down mail-order operations (6/30)
Seneca Nation smoke shop gets restraining order for PACT Act (6/29)
Seneca Nation defends tobacco sales on treaty anniversary (05/24)
ATF schedules tribal consultation on tobacco trafficking law (5/20)
Obama signs cigarette trafficking bill over tribal objections (4/1)
Seneca Nation asks Obama to veto cigarette mailing bill (03/19)
Cigarette trafficking bill sent to White House for review (3/18)
Editorial: PACT Act puts a halt to Internet tobacco sales (3/17)
White House weighs stance on cigarette trafficking bill (3/16)
Seneca Nation blasts passage of cigarette trafficking bill (3/15)
Lance Morgan: PACT Act a hidden power grab for states (3/12)
Seneca Nation lobbies against cigarette trafficking bill (3/8)
New York governor proposes tobacco tax regulations (02/24)
Seneca Nation targets Sen. Gillibrand for tobacco bill (01/25)
Seneca Nation prepares for battle over cigarette taxes (1/20)
New York governor puts Indian tobacco tax in new budget (1/19)
Seneca Nation aims to defeat cigarette trafficking bill (01/12)