Proposed Bills Range from Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes to Background Checks at Gun Shows

Background Checks at Gun Shows SF465
State Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) introduced a bill requiring background checks at gun shows. It was also proposed last year but found little traction. The intent is to close the loophole that allows guns to be purchased without a background check at a gun show. "The public is with us, of course, by a factor of 80 percent but the NRA, which holds tremendous political influence, is deadset against it," Dibble said. "We're sailing upstream to say the least."

HIV Education SF466
Dibble also introduced SF466 requiring the commissioner of health to implement an education and awareness program about HIV. Dibble is working with the Minnesota Aids project on the bill. "Every one instance of new HIV infection in Minnesota costs the public hundreds of thousands of dollars," Dibble said. "A fairly modest public health effort would pay for itself." 

Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes HF665
Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) introduced a bill closing corporate tax loopholes. The bill designates 34 countries as "tax havens." A similar proposal by Hornstein that was attached to a larger bill as an amendment last year would have earned the state more than $100 in revenue in 2011-2012, according to the Minnesota Budget Project.