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New York Looks at Casino Smoking Ban

NEW YORK – As reported by the New York Post-Syracuse: "A spokesman for Gov. George Pataki said enforcing the state smoking ban at Turning Stone Resort and Casino is "one of the issues under discussion" as the state continues to analyze the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in last month's Sherrill property tax case.

"…The high court ruled that the Oneida Indian Nation could not expand its sovereign territory simply by reacquiring former reservation lands and declaring them sovereign and tax-exempt. The decision has called into question the tribe's sovereign status at its Verona casino. Without that, any state law could be enforced there.

"Nick DeRosa, director of environmental health services for Oneida County, said he has not been told to enforce the smoking ban.

"…The issue might be on the minds of lawmakers in Albany, but it's not topping local priority lists. Verona Supervisor David Reed said his focus is on appraising the casino and getting it back on to the tax rolls…"

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