The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe filed a lawsuit in federal court in hopes of preventing the state of New York from imposing a tobacco tax on the reservation.

The tribe says the state is violating its right to self-governance. The lawsuit claims the tribe would have to replace its own regulatory structure with the state's.

The state passed a new law and developed new regulations that would require tribes to collect taxes on the sale of tobacco to non-Indians. The plan is due to go into effect on September 1.

The Seneca Nation has filed its own lawsuit against the state.

Get the Story:
St. Regis Tribe files suit over tax (The Watertown Daily Times 8/26)

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

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

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