While the whole of the nation’s media is focused on the prisoner exchange and the problems at the veterans’ hospitals, it is expected that our elected officials will be equally focused on those issues. We expect them to fix these problems immediately.

There are other issues that demand their attention which do not generate headlines and interview, but going unattended will continue to cause the state to lose a tremendous amount of money in uncollected sales tax.

Most people don’t seem to know that online only retailers are not required to collect and remit sales taxes at the point of sale. The consumer is supposed to report their purchases and pay the sales tax due on their income tax filing. Very few people comply.

There are credible estimates that more than $23 billion per year goes uncollected because of the way the law is currently structured. I live in Congressman Schweikert’s district and am writing him to ask that he follow up on passing a bill that fixes this problem.

Local retail stores are badly damaged because this playing field is so lop-sided.