​​PNC Bank is closing the bank accounts of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), the country's biggest marijuana interest group. According to officials at MPP, the accounts will close July 7.
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PNC Bank's move comes amidst mounting speculation of a Department of Justice crackdown on marijuana businesses and those who provide financial and other services to them. It also calls into question the legal status of accounts of political action committees (PACs) and marijuana industry associations, which may also receive money directly from businesses engaging in federally-prohibited activity. Further, the announcement comes on the heels of a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ( Safe Streets Alliance v. Alternative Holistic Healing, LLC, No. 16-1048) allowing certain Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act lawsuits to proceed against Colorado marijuana businesses and corporations that service them.

The House of Representatives voted 64-11 today to approve a $9.2 billion 2018 state budget that eliminates the $134 million shortfall that opened up in May, funds the first year of a six-year phase-out of the car tax, raises the minimum wage, restores no-fare bus passes for low-income elderly and disabled people, includes a pilot program to provide two years of free tuition at CCRI and once again does not include any broad-based tax increases.

The bill (2017-H 5175Aaa) now goes to the Senate, which plans to bring the bill before its Finance Committee Tuesday.

Michael Parente
 
Let’s all take a moment to applaud the Pittsburgh Penguins, not for making a political statement of any kind, which some are probably already misinterpreting, but for simply doing the right thing.

After his won team won its second consecutive Stanley Cup earlier this month, Penguins’ team president David Morehouse, a known democrat who once worked under the Clinton administration and on the campaigns for Al Gore and John Kerry, announced Pittsburgh – if invited – would absolutely, 100 percent visit the White House as a team, noting that the traditional celebratory White House visit is neither the time, nor the place, to stage political protests.

Amusement parks are one of the most quintessential summertime activities for families," explains Lissa Poirot, editor-in-chief of Family Vacation Critic. "But for those traveling with family members of various ages – including kids-at-heart – finding a park that caters to thrill-seekers and the younger set isn't always so easy. This list includes parks that successfully cater to both, and those that also have exciting new features for the 2017 season."