New York sues feds for giving land to Oneida Indians

By WILLIAM KATES | Associated Press Writer

June 19, 2008

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - New York and two counties filed a federal lawsuit Thursday to block the U.S. Department of Interior from putting 13,004 acres of upstate land into trust for the Oneida Indian Nation, the third legal challenge this week to block the transfer.

"My office will not sit back while the Department of Interior runs roughshod over New York's Constitutional right to determine the best use of its lands," said Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

"...charged that federal Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne's decision authorizing the transfer was unconstitutional and exceeded his authority.

Not to be confused with...

High Court Expands Reach of Eminent Domain

Thursday, June 23, 2005

In a scathing dissent, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (search) said the decision bowed to the rich and powerful at the expense of middle-class Americans.

"...The 5-4 decision means that homeowners will have more limited rights."

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