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Judge stops Seneca tax collection 

The century-old conflict between the Seneca Nation and the State of New York over the issue of cigarette taxation and sovereignty continues as a ruling by a state appellate court suspended the planned $4.25 tax of non-Native citizens purchasing cigarettes.

The tax, which was to begin on September 1, was halted by a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Samuel L. Green of Rochester.

Green's order was a reinstatement of a previous restraining order issued in January 2009, according to state officials. The order will be held for two weeks, at which time both the Seneca Nation and the State of New York will argue their case before the appellate court.

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