Here is Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb’s Statement on the Court Ruling allowing the state to collect cigarette tax from non-Native Americans.

“Today is a good day for upstate. The just-announced State Appellate Division ruling that lifted the temporary order preventing the collection of taxes on cigarettes sold on Native American lands to non-Native American Indians is a big victory for taxpayers, businesses and everyone who believes in the rule of law. We have endured court case after court case, delay after delay, excuse after excuse. Now, all the legal roadblocks have finally been removed. New York has a ‘green light’ to move full speed ahead with enforcing the law, collecting the taxes and leveling the playing field. I urge the Department of Taxation and Finance to begin the tax collections immediately. It has taken 17 years, but we are finally at the point where the law is going to be enforced and we will have justice and fairness for all.”