As usual, there is interest in New York in collecting taxes likely owed in accordance with the Milhelm Attea case (see article here). The St. Regis Mohawk leadership, however, suggests:
“This bill, like similar legislation proposed before it, will harm the Northern New York economy, not help it,” said Chief James W. Ransom, citing a 2003 study performed by Regional Economic Models Inc. “The economic impact could be greater than $2 million per year.”
“We already collect fees from tribal businesses that would be harmed by this legislation and that will hurt our ability to deliver essential governmental services,” said Chief Barbara A. Lazore. “It will also result in a loss of jobs that no one in the state is even considering.”
This is the problem that Supreme Court Indian tax cases have created. Indian tribes and Indian people try to develop their economies and tax base, and the state can — at any time it wishes — destroy that economy merely by imposing taxes.
Turtle Talk 