BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The New York State Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) is again calling on Governor David Paterson and the Legislature to seize the moment and pass meaningful cigarette tax legislation, according to a WNED-TV report.
Association president James Calvin told the news outlet that the previous law had no teeth. "This new bill would require that all the taxes on all the cigarettes delivered by any wholesale distributor to Indian or non-Indian retailers be pre-paid by the wholesale distributor," Calvin said.
Tribal members could apply for a refund from the state [image-nocss] tax department, said the report.
After 14-years of trying to get Albany to level the playing field, Calvin admits he's not overly optimistic. He hopes the state's budget crisis may prompt the governor to act.
"What's different now is the urgency of the situation," Calvin added.
State lawmakers have passed legislation to collect taxes on cigarette sales to non-Indians, but Paterson has not indicated whether he will sign the measure or veto it. Leaders of the Seneca Nation were in Albany last week to lobby against the issue.
For years, Calvin has lobbied for a level playing field of taxes for retailers, whether tribal members or not.
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