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Albany – State Senator Mike Nozzolio today announced that Governor Paterson has signed legislation he sponsored requiring Native-American owned businesses to pay sales taxes on sales of tobacco products.  The legislation, Senate bill 8146, was sponsored by Senator Nozzolio in the State Senate and received overwhelming bi-partisan support when it was adopted by both houses of the State legislature in August of this year.

“The only thing worse than taxes are taxes that are imposed unequally and unfairly,” said Senator Nozzolio.  “For far too long, retail businesses throughout our region have been harmed by an unfair tax policy, driving jobs out of the region and hurting small business owners.  Today’s signing of Senate bill 8146 is a historic day for leveling the playing field for all of New York’s businesses and I thank Governor Paterson for ensuring that this important legislation will now be New York State law.”

The enactment of Senate bill 8146 and enforcement of the collection of sales taxes from Native-American businesses will ensure tax equality for local retail businesses and lead to an estimated $200-$400 million increase in State tax revenue.  The collection of sales taxes on tobacco products is a first-step in establishing the collection of sales taxes on other products sold by Native-American businesses.

Senator Nozzolio led the effort in the State Senate to begin the collection of sales taxes on Native-American businesses and called for the Governor to enforce the collection of the taxes  -  an action deemed Constitutional by the United States Supreme Court.

In addition to sponsoring Senate bill 8146 and achieving a major victory by having it adopted in both houses of the Legislature, Senator Nozzolio worked aggressively to encourage others to demand the Governor sign this legislation.  Senator Nozzolio received thousands of signatures from his constituents through an online petition where local residents could voice their support for Senate bill 8146 and urge Governor Paterson to sign the measure into law.

“Grassroots support for Senate bill 8146 was critical to ensuring that this legislation was finally signed into state law.  I am deeply grateful to the thousands of my constituents who have worked with and supported my efforts to ensure tax equality for all New Yorkers.  This historic day would never have occurred without their unwavering support,” concluded Nozzolio.

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