WATERLOO, NEW YORK – Similar to a lawsuit filed by the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS), Seneca County officials in New York have filed a lawsuit against the state tax department to "force the agency to collect taxes" on cigarettes and other products sold on Native American reservations to non-Native Americans, reports the Associated Press.

Seneca County officials say the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance's refusal to collect excise taxes from Native Americans has cost the county about $200,000 annually in lost revenues, which has also contributed to higher property taxes and has forced several local gasoline stations to close, notes the AP.

"While we have great respect for the Native American culture, we do not believe that unfair competition with local business is necessary to preserve any culture," said Robert Shipley, chairman of the county board of supervisors.

The lawsuit filed by Seneca County officials also names the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York and five state cigarette wholesale distributors: Day Wholesale Inc. of Tupper Lake; Milheim Attea & Bros. of Buffalo; Gutlove & Shirvint of Long Island City; Mauro Pennisi of Lindenhurst; and Frank Colucci Inc. of Niagara Falls.