May 09, 2003 — The signing ceremony for a deal between New York State and the Mohawk tribe is on hold after objections arose from some of the parties involved in a land claim against the state and criticism among tribal members. The agreement, which also involves a casino deal, will go through. David Sommerstein helps sort out the complications.  Go to full article

May 08, 2003 — Governor Pataki and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe are reportedly close to an historic agreement that would resolve casino and taxation issues and long-standing land claims in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. But a signing ceremony for the settlement worth 100 million dollars was postponed at the last minute yesterday. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 07, 2003 — Seeking more revenue for the budget, the state legislature passed a bill requiring the collection of sales tax on non-natives purchases at native stores. Tribes in New York - and Governor Pataki - say it's unenforceable. But as David Sommerstein reports, the St. Regis Mohawks may be proposing a middle ground.  Go to full article

Apr 15, 2003 — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe has uncovered a cigarette tax fraud scheme that defrauded the tribe of 3 million dollars. As David Sommerstein reports, two local print shops have been producing counterfeit tobacco tax stamps for a year.  Go to full article

Mar 19, 2003 — As cash-strapped New York trolls for new sources of revenue, some lawmakers are targeting tobacco and fuel sales on reservation land and vendors who sell to native-owned stores. Tribes are resisting the effort on sovereignty grounds. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Feb 13, 2003 — Two women from the Seneca Nation in western New York are indicted for participation in a cigarette smuggling ring that allegedly helped fund the terrorist group Hezbollah. David Sommerstein has details.  Go to full article

Aug 08, 2002 — A study by the Rockefeller Institute of Government finds that New York's tax collections were down by almost 20% in the first quarter of the budget year. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Aug 07, 2002 — The soft economy has caused fiscal troubles for local governments across New York, including New York City and Buffalo. Now Monroe County, where the city of Rochester is located, is experiencing budget problems so severe that the county executive has threatened to close the county's parks. Karen DeWitt reports on a growing trend that many believe will only grow worse in the near future.  Go to full article

Jun 20, 2002 — Voters in the Ausable Valley School District go to the polls today to vote on a new school budget. In May voters defeated a spending plan that would have meant a twenty-two percent property tax increase. School officials say this new budget will mean widespread program cuts--but a local taxpayers' group says the price tag is still too high. Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article

Jan 10, 2002 — State Senator Ray Meier was also pleased with the speech. He said he liked the Governor’s plans to proceed with tax cuts.  Go to full article