Pfizer says it’s going to keep its research unit in St. Louis and expand it. The unit had been owned by Pharmacia Corporation, with offices in Creve Coeur, Chesterfield, and at the Washington University School of medicine. One-thousand people work for the unit now. Pfizer is the world’s biggest pharmaceutical company. Among the widely-used drugs developed by the group in the St. Louis area – Celebrex, Bextra, Dynastat, and Somavert.
Senate Backs Plan To Decouple Missouri Taxes From Federal Tax System
April 30, 2003 By
A state income tax plan described by one State Senator as a choice between simplicity and self-determination has won approval by the State Senate. Senator Mike Gibbons of Kirkwood has won Senate approval of his plan to decouple Missouri’s income tax system from the federal tax code. If the House approves the decoupling, Missouri’s income tax structure will be determined by the Legislature, not defined by federal income tax policies enacted by Congress.
Gaming Commission Receptive To Casino Tax Hikes … With A Condition
April 30, 2003 By
Several state lawmakers who are working on raising much-needed dollars have been talking about increasing taxes on casinos. Casino operators have made it clear they would prefer to see their taxes remain at current levels. But Kevin Mullally, the Executive Director of the State Gaming Commission, says the casinos probably would accept a slight tax hike if they received something else from the state – elimination of the loss limits. As things stand now, there is a $500 loss limit, per gambler, per two-hour period spent on one of casino boats. There is no such limit in Illinois, and St. Louis casino operators say this hurts their profits.
Nursing Home Bill Passes House
April 30, 2003 By
A compromise moves a nursing home reform bill easily through the House and back to the Senate, where it is expected to be received favorably. The House sponsor agreed to remove a provision calling for increased Medicaid reimbursement to nursing homes, totalling as much as $17-Million a year. Critics say that would have killed the bill in this tight budget year. Still, the compromise doesn’t sit well with Representative Rod Jetton of Marble Hill who says falling Medicaid reimbursement rates have hurt the ability of nursing homes to attract quality workers. The House sends the Senate a bill much like the one it approved earlier. There is one big difference. The House stripped provisions that would have allowed video-tapes of residents to be admitted in court. The bill cracks down on poor nursing homes with stiff fines for endangering the lives of residents and for violating state codes.
Supreme Court Orders Death Row Inmate Released
April 29, 2003 By
The State Supreme Court has decided a man on Missouri’s death row for a murder nearly 18 years ago should be released. In a four-three decision, the Court ruled Joseph Amrine is innocent of the murder of Gary Barber in October, 1985. Both Amrine and Barber were prisoners in the state penitentiary in Jefferson City at the time. The Court’s order calls for the conditional release of Amrine within 30 days unless the state elects to file new charges against him in relation to the murder of which he was convicted. A spokesman for the State Supreme Court believes Amrine has already served his time for the offense that sent him to prison in the first place.
