Do You Support a Sales Tax for Online Purchases?

The Marketplace Fairness Act was approved in the U.S. Senate, and is headed for the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would require merchants to collect sales taxes on online purchases.

It's called the "Marketplace Fairness Act" and supporters say it levels the playing field between online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores by requiring online merchants to pay sales taxes to the states, counties and localities where they have done business. Opponents include anti-tax activists and retailers who say it will be overly burdensome—in fact, nearly impossible, they say, to keep track of the tax rates and tax requirements for the myriad of taxing agencies where they may be doing business. The Marketplace Fairness Act passed the U.S. Senate 69-27 on Monday. Next up, the legislation goes to the GOP-led House. President Barack Obama has previously said he supports the bill. Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, voted for …

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PaulRevere

12:20 am on Monday, May 20, 2013

Let me commend you on your typing abilities. In 1986 the US congress passed "new laws" for immigration. Even though we had hundreds of laws stating exactly how to deport those breaking the laws. None were followed. The Govt just did not follow the laws. Amnesty took place with maybe under 6mill illegals kept in this country. So now we have over 14mill new illegals. So now in 2013 congress wants …   more ›

Ask the Patch Pro: Local Experts Answer Your Holiday Budgeting Questions

Our panel of experts are waiting in the comments to answer your questions about shopping and maintaining a budget during the holidays in the latest installment of Ask the Patch Pro.

It's time for another edition of Ask the Patch Pro, where each week we tackle a different topic and open up the comments section for questions. Our team of experts stop in to help you out and answer your questions. This week we're talking about sticking to a budget for the holiday shopping season. Patch wants to help find the answers to all your questions about wise holiday spending, but we needed a little help.  We've compiled a team of experts to help us out. Meet the experts:

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Black Friday: News and Updates

Find the latest on Black Friday lines, deals and news as it happens. If you see something we should know about, send us a tip at Maggie.Rotermund@patch.com or tweet @UniCityPatch.

It's the biggest shopping day of the year. Share your stories with Patch.

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Confirmed Non-Shopper Goes Black Ops Shopping for Trampoline

Patch Associate Local Editor Joe Scott takes on a pre-Black Friday Thanksgiving retail challenge and comes out on the wrong end.

One thing you should know is that I never go shopping on any “Black” day, especially Black Friday. I’m not camping in a parking lot so I can save $50 on a DVR. I have always resisted the siren call of bargains, calling me to dash my patience and self-respect on the rocky racks of flat-screen TVs, iPhones and game systems. I’d gladly spend an extra $100 on a laptop so I can walk into a store, point, buy it and walk out faster than a ninja could whack you with nun chuks and be out the window in his black pajamas. So the first few times my wife asked if I would go out on Thanksgiving night to get a $158, 14-foot trampoline replete with protective mesh netting, I just laughed. “Think of the odds,” I thought. The call of the bargain However, …

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Black Friday News and Updates

Find the latest on Black Friday lines, deals and news as it happens. If you see something we should know about, send us a tip at Lindsay.Toler@patch.com or tweet @StLouisLindsay.

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Brandon Fry - Local Volunteer

9:38 am on Friday, November 25, 2011

We got in and out with all of our video games in about 1 hour. We got some great deals and little hassle with long lines this year. Of course we avoided the big box stores. Once we left the mall and went to McDonald's it was a different story.   more ›

Shop Local

Your Guide to Shopping St. Charles For Guys

Cross off the men on your holiday list by visiting these locally-owned St. Charles businesses.

Editors Note: This is the first column in a three-part series that offers suggestions for shopping locally in St. Charles. This first article suggests ideas for the guys on your holiday list. The subsequent articles, scheduled for publication Dec. 18 and Dec. 23, will provide suggestions for the women and kids on your list. Most men seem to have everything. This is good for them, but not for you when they're on your holiday gift list. What makes it so difficult is that when guys realize they're missing something they want, they just go buy it. Sure, there are things guys want, like an iPad or some crazy spy pen, but those are expensive. How do you buy for them without breaking the bank and without your gift showing up in next year's white …

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