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   Illinois Senator Dick Durbin wants consumers to pay sales tax on their purchases, whether they shop in a local store, or online.  

   Consumers are already supposed to pay sales tax for online purchases.  But very few do since there's no uniform collection method, and the onus to pay is placed on the consumer, not the retailer.  In Illinois, for instance, those who file state tax returns are asked to list their online purchases and pay sales tax for them.

   Durbin says the current rules are not fair to brick and mortar stores, who must collect sales tax from their customers.  Durbin has sponsored a bill that would require Internet stores to do the same.  

   The Senate will soon begin debate on the Market Fairness Act.  It could be voted on as early as this week.  

   Missouri Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt have both said they favor the move.

The Associated Press compared how the budget proposals by Senate Democrats and House Republicans stack up over the next decade:

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Total spending

Senate Democrats: $46.5 trillion
House Republicans: $41.7 trillion

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Total revenue

Senate Democrats: $41.2 trillion
House Republicans: $40.2 trillion

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10-year deficit

Senate Democrats: $5.4 trillion
House Republicans: $1.4 trillion

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National debt at end of 2023

Senate Democrats: $24.4 trillion
House Republicans: $20.3 trillion

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Social Security

Senate Democrats: $11.3 trillion
House Republicans: $11.3 trillion

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Medicare

Senate Democrats: $6.8 trillion
House Republicans: $6.7 trillion

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Health, including Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program

Senate Democrats: $6.6 trillion
House Republicans: $4.0 trillion

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National defense

Senate Democrats: $6.0 trillion
House Republicans: $6.2 trillion

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Income security, including housing assistance, cash benefits and food stamps

Senate Democrats: $5.6 trillion
House Republicans: $5.0 trillion

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Interest on national debt

Senate Democrats: $5.2 trillion
House Republicans: $4.5 trillion

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Veterans benefits and services

Senate Democrats: $1.7 trillion
House Republicans: $1.7 trillion

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International Affairs, including foreign aid

Senate Democrats: $506 billion
House Republicans: $431 billion

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Education, training, employment and social services

Senate Democrats: $1.1 trillion
House Republicans: $906 billion

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Transportation

Senate Democrats: $919 billion
House Republicans: $801 billion

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Agriculture

Senate Democrats: $205 billion House Republicans: $196 billion

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Natural resources and environment

Senate Democrats: $474 billion
House Republicans: $385 billion

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Community and regional development

Senate Democrats: $268 billion
House Republicans: $88 billion

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Sources: Senate Democratic and House Republican budget proposals.