and a federal Judge reverses that decision (
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/...e-cigarettes):
Judge allows Seneca, Cayuga nations to sell tax-free cigarettes
Diana Louise Carter • Staff writer • September 1, 2010
A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily stopped the latest brinksmanship between the state and Native American nations over the cigarette tax issue, hours before the state was due to begin collecting the sales tax.
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Arcara in Buffalo granted a temporary injunction requested by the Seneca and Cayuga nations.
This on-again, off-again tax conflict, which has lasted for more than two decades but has historical roots dating back two centuries, pits a deficit-ridden state government against Native Americans, many of whom have used their sovereign status to sell cigarettes free of state taxes that since July 1 have amounted to $4.35 a pack.
I highly suggest folks read this entire article. There is no talk of violence, no hint of racism and is informative concerning this issue.