OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A three-member arbitration panel has ruled in favor of the Governor's Office in a dispute with two Oklahoma-based tribes over the state's tobacco compact.
Attorney Steve Mullins for Governor Mary Fallin says the unanimous rulings against the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes put the tribes on non-compact status for retail tobacco sales.
Without a compact in place, both tribes will only be able to sell a limited number of tax-free tobacco products to tribal citizens. All others must be paid at the full tax rate.
Fallin said in a statement that she is still committed to negotiating in good faith with both tribes.
A message left with the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe was not immediately returned. The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes declined immediate comment.