Tuesday,  April 23, 2013 • Vol. 14--No. 278 • 29 of 34 •  Other Editions

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and its impact on the services and compiled data on the costs and programs from Defense Department documents.
• The Pentagon long has battled with Congress over politically sensitive spending cuts. But this year, military officials say Congress' refusal to retire ships and aircraft means the Navy and Air Force are spending roughly $5 billion more than they would if they were allowed to make the cuts. In some cases Congress restored funds to compensate for the changes, but the result overall was lost savings.
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Vote shows strong support in Senate to allow states to collect taxes from Internet sales

• WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tax-free shopping on the Internet could be in jeopardy under a bill making its way through the Senate.
• The bill would empower states to require online retailers to collect state and local sales taxes for purchases made over the Internet. The sales taxes would be sent to the states where a shopper lives.
• Under current law, states can only require stores to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state. As a result, many online sales are essentially tax-free, giving Internet retailers a big advantage over brick-and-mortar stores.
• The Senate voted 74 to 20 Monday to take up the bill. If that level of support continues, the Senate could pass the bill as early as this week.
• Supporters say the bill is about fairness for businesses and lost revenue for states. Opponents say it would impose complicated regulations on retailers and doesn't have enough protections for small businesses. Businesses with less than $1 million a year in online sales would be exempt.
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For RI woman injured in Boston Marathon blasts, too much healing to focus on bomber's fate

• BOSTON (AP) -- As this shocked city observed a moment of silence, Heather Abbott was following through on a difficult decision -- allowing doctors to amputate her left foot, which was mangled in the bombings that shattered the Boston Marathon.
• From her bed at Brigham and Women's Hospital on Monday, the 38-year-old Rhode Island woman reflected on the terror of April 15 -- and on the waves of agony and grace that followed in the week since.

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