For the past three years, Oneida County has been in federal court seeking to collect the real estate taxes owed by the Oneida Indian Nation, but we have been prevented from doing so by federal court injunction. That injunction is presently on appeal. We are closely following the efforts of Seneca and Cayuga Counties to address the issue of unpaid cigarette taxes on cigarette sales by the Cayuga Indians.
In my role as Oneida County Executive, I have urged and continue to urge the State of New York to collect taxes on Indian sales of cigarettes to non-Indians to the extent permitted by law. It is time for the State to step in and collect these taxes. It is the State’s responsibility to enforce its tax laws and the citizens of Oneida County expect the State to do the responsible thing.