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by REBECCA PRYOR | FOX45 NEWS
MARYLAND (WBFF) — With SNAP benefits set to stop this Saturday, one state senator is now calling on Gov. Wes Moore to also stop Maryland lottery sales.
For the 680,000 Marylanders who rely on food stamps to feed their families, the ongoing government shutdown poses high stakes.
During past shutdowns, state funding has helped close the gaps to support critical government programs. However, this time around, Moore has doubled down on holding back state funding, saying he doesn’t trust the Trump administration will pay its debts.
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“The Trump Administration has provided zero assurance that our state will receive reimbursement—even if Maryland were to cover SNAP benefits in the absence of federal funding,” he said in a statement released this week.
If SNAP benefits are paused, Sen. Steve Hershey said continuing to sell lottery tickets and scratch offs is a bad bet.
“This is a state operated business that is looking for a profit,” Hershey said.
According to Hershey, data from the state lottery commission consistently shows the highest lottery sale come from low-income neighborhoods most dependent on food assistance programs. Describing the lottery as a voluntary tax, drawing in billions of dollars annually from those hoping to change their luck, he argued it’s unfair for the state to be cashing in on the hungry.
“Individuals are going to have the challenge between paying for groceries, paying for meds, paying for electricity bills — should they really be enticed by the state to buy lottery tickets?” he questioned. “I’m saying, let's show some compassion. Let's take away the opportunity for people to be enticed by scratch offs and lottery tickets when they're buying their groceries.”
The initiative could take effect immediately with an executive order from the governor, but it appears unlikely that Moore will play his hand.
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A spokesperson for Moore’s office sent FOX45 News the following statement in response to Hershey’s request:
“Unfortunately, I think it's become easier for Governor Moore to continue blaming the Trump administration rather than addressing the problem,” Hershey said.
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