Mesa Valley Progress: “[Ford] focused heavily on what [he] calls the “'affordability crisis'” facing Nevadans."

Last week, Attorney General Aaron Ford held a packed town hall in Mesquite as a part of his Working Class First listening tour. Ford spoke with Nevadans about how the Lombardo-Trump economy is raising costs on working families and how he’ll fight to make Nevada more affordable for working families.

Under Joe Lombardo, housing costs in Nevada are at record highs and Nevadans are having to donate blood just to pay rent. Nevadans are paying more for groceries than residents in most other states. Lombardo vetoed a bill that would have lowered prescription drug prices while prescription drug prices have risen faster in Nevada than anywhere else in the nation. As a quarter of Nevada’s children experience food insecurity and Nevadans are paying more for groceries than residents in most other states, Lombardo vetoed a bill that would have guaranteed school meals and put money back in parents’ pockets. 

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Mesa Valley Progress: Attorney General Ford holds roundtable in Mesquite

• Attorney General Aaron Ford finished up his five-day statewide “Working Class First” tour on Friday, Nov. 14, by appearing at the Mesquite Democratic Center. This tour also served as a canned food drive. The attendees, who filled the room, listened to the attorney general reiterate his core agenda: making Nevada more affordable for working families. One of Ford’s missions was to have a “listening tour” to hear what concerns Nevadans had about their economic situation.

  
  

• Ford began his tour on Monday in Northern Nevada. It spanned 11 counties and focused heavily on what Ford calls the “affordability crisis” facing Nevadans. “And everywhere I go, the message is loud and clear: Nevada’s working families are struggling to keep up. That’s why we launched this tour, and that’s why we’re fighting back.”

  
  

• Some of the impacts of the economy facing Nevadans are indeed critical. “In some areas, people are selling blood to pay their rent,” Ford stated. With healthcare costs rising, he said the government must protect SNAP benefits and Medicaid. He referred to his personal history as a single father, relying on the government, which helped him raise his family and continue his education.

  
  

• “The stakes in the upcoming election have never been higher. We need to make Nevada affordable.” With that statement, he opened the discussion: “What is breaking your budget?” he asked those in the room.

  
  

• Rising costs of pet care, along with cat litter and vaccinations, car insurance and healthcare costs were some of the issues discussed. Many seniors in Mesquite are suffering. Food banks are in crisis mode as operation costs keep increasing. There are continuous fundraisers, with programs needing money.

  
  

• The housing crisis was also one of Ford’s priorities. He addressed the impact of housing speculation and how his office is working to protect consumers from predatory practices. “There are many seniors who are helping to support their adult children who are unable to make ends meet.”

  
  

• Ford concluded his speech by stating that he makes decisions from the heart to help the people. “I am a husband, a father and then an attorney general.”

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