NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) -- Tensions are rising as the state nears the Sept. 1 start date to collect taxes on cigarettes sold by Indian tribes.
On Friday, the Oneida Indian Nation called recent remarks by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg "offensive and hurtful."
The mayor had urged Gov. David Paterson to act like a cowboy with a shotgun and enforce the state tax law that hasn't been enforced for years. Violence broke out in the past when the state tried to collect taxes on cigarettes sold by tribes.
Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter says Bloomberg's imagery was as distasteful to his tribe as if someone urged Nazis to take action against Jews.
Bloomberg's spokesman responded the Supreme Court found repeatedly that tribes have no right to sell untaxed cigarettes.
(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Tribe Recoils At Bloomberg's 'Cowboy' Comment
/ CBS New York
NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) -- Tensions are rising as the state nears the Sept. 1 start date to collect taxes on cigarettes sold by Indian tribes.
On Friday, the Oneida Indian Nation called recent remarks by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg "offensive and hurtful."
The mayor had urged Gov. David Paterson to act like a cowboy with a shotgun and enforce the state tax law that hasn't been enforced for years. Violence broke out in the past when the state tried to collect taxes on cigarettes sold by tribes.
Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter says Bloomberg's imagery was as distasteful to his tribe as if someone urged Nazis to take action against Jews.
Bloomberg's spokesman responded the Supreme Court found repeatedly that tribes have no right to sell untaxed cigarettes.
(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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