3-21-2019
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Washington State cannot tax fuel importers who are members of the Yakama Nation.
The 5-4 ruling affirmed the state Supreme Court’s similar decision that found the Yakama Treaty of 1855 exempts tribal members from state fuel taxes.
The state had sued a fuel distributor and convenience store owned by a tribal member, claiming he owed $3.6 million in unpaid taxes.
Yakama’s Tribal Council Chairman says the nation is “grateful” for the ruling, noting that it upholds the treaty.
This week, conservative Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch sided with his more liberal colleagues in a case involving the Yakama Tribe — and its right under an 1855 treaty to travel public roads without being taxed on the goods brought to the reservation. https://t.co/NNqk6vb3FG
— NPR (@NPR) March 21, 2019