HTN: Senecas Strike Back at State

The Seneca Indian Nation is responding strongly to New York State's plans to tax its cigarette sales. President Barry Snyder says the Nation is planning to collect its own tolls from State Thruway drivers as they cross into Seneca land. The tribe will spend one-million dollars to hire "emergency response personnel" who will protect the Senecas from alleged harassment from the state government. The tribe also says it may ask President-elect Barack Obama for federal troops to protect tribe members. It is the latest reaction to Governor David A. Paterson's plan to start enforcing tax collections on cigarette wholesalers who sell tobacco products to Seneca businesses. The law goes into effect in February.