Chris McDaniel

Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo) is one of many co-sponsors of a bill that would allow states to collect sales taxes for online purchases.

Under current law, states can only require stores to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state.

As NPR's Planet Money puts it:

Just north of St. Louis, the city of Alton is bracing for the flooded Mississippi River to crest soon.

According to the National Weather Service, the river is expected to crest at about 30 feet on Tuesday -- nine feet above flood stage -- and remain near that level until Thursday.

Matt Asselmeier from Alton Mayor Tom Hoescht's office says they've filled more than 2,000 sand bags in preparation.

Jo Mannies is out this week, so we have St. Louis Public Radio's Marshall Griffin filling in. Marshall joins Jason Rosenbaum of the St. Louis Beacon and Chris McDaniel of St. Louis Public Radio to discuss the week in politics.

On this week's show: Marshall fills us in on the developments in the Department of Revenue "kerfuffle", we talk about the gun and Medicaid rallies in Jefferson City, and Slay's inaugural announcement.

Follow Chris McDaniel on Twitter: @csmcdaniel

The St. Louis Metro Transit is stepping up security after the recent terrorist attack in Boston that left three dead and more than 150 injured.

Richard Zott, Chief of Public Safety for Metro says the changes aren’t due to any specific threat.

“No, I just think it’s prudent," Zott said. "Anytime you have something like a major bombing in a city like that, I just think it’s a good idea to just increase your vigilance and your security procedures. I just like to err on the side of caution.”

He says he’s working with the city and county police departments.