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U.S. Judge Sides With Comanches In Tobacco Dispute

Kenji Aryan
/
Flickr Creative Commons

A federal judge in Oklahoma City is siding with the Comanche Nation in a dispute with the governor's office over the state's tobacco compact with the southwest Oklahoma tribe.

U.S. District Judge Robin Cauthron issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday that allows the Comanche Nation to enjoy the same tobacco compact the state has with the Chickasaw Nation. Under that deal, the $1.03 state tax rate per pack of cigarettes is distributed with 70 percent of the revenue to the tribe and 30 percent to the state.

The Comanche Nation and Fallin's office are disputing whether the tribe is entitled to a new tobacco compact. The tribe claims a clause in its current compact allows it to receive the same deal any other tribe receives. The governor's office disagrees.

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