Paterson, Senecas Meet on Tax Issue
New York Governor David Paterson held closed-door negotiations with Seneca Nation representatives today as pressure increases on Paterson to start collecting sales tax from Indian cigarette retailers.
The state says it loses about $400 million dollars in tax revenues through the Indian sales.
Lawmakers say collecting tax from the Indians would help close a $15 billion budget deficit.
The Seneca Nation declined comment on the afternoon talks but Seneca leaders have said in the past that they have little to negotiate because the tax-free sales are protected by treaties dating back to George Washington.
The Paterson administration had no comment on the meetings either
The state says it loses about $400 million dollars in tax revenues through the Indian sales.
Lawmakers say collecting tax from the Indians would help close a $15 billion budget deficit.
The Seneca Nation declined comment on the afternoon talks but Seneca leaders have said in the past that they have little to negotiate because the tax-free sales are protected by treaties dating back to George Washington.
The Paterson administration had no comment on the meetings either
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