All eyes are on Virginia ahead of
next week's statewide elections. Recent polls continue to show Democrat Abigail Spanberger
leading Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, while both the Lieutenant Governor and
Attorney General races are in virtual dead heats. We previewed Virginia's upcoming elections with WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA).
A split ticket remains a possibility, said Davis, meaning that members of different parties could be elected to the three statewide offices. "Divided government can work very well when you have adults at the helm," he said. "When you don't, it just makes gridlock even worse."
Plus, we discussed
Virginia Democrats' push for redistricting.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore is also considering supporting plans
to redraw Maryland's eight congressional districts, but some Democratic leaders are
considering blocking the move. House Majority Leader David Moon (D-MD), who represents Montgomery County, joined the show to discuss why he also supports redistricting efforts.
On late Friday afternoon, a federal judge ruled the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP benefits during the shutdown, giving the administration a deadline of Monday to respond. In the meantime, states like Maryland have been debating how to help those who could lose food assistance starting Saturday.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced Thursday he’s allocating
$10 million in state funds to local food banks. But many Maryland lawmakers wanted the governor to do more, including stepping in
to fully fund federal SNAP benefits. Del. Moon said leadership is considering tapping into the state’s rainy day fund.
“To get people through Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, I think that's really the question, whether we can do a little bit more to at least keep some of the benefits,” he said.
Moon said funding uninterrupted food assistance would cost Maryland $130 million per month.
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