Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is back at it again – this time pushing a bill that looks tough on paper but is really just smoke and mirrors.
Assembly Bill 44 (AB44), pitched as a crackdown on “price manipulation,” claims to protect everyday Nevadans from unfair price hikes on essentials like gas, groceries, and housing.
But when you look closer, it’s clear this isn’t about helping people. It’s about helping Ford launch his campaign for governor.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
What Does the Bill Do?
AB44 would make it a felony to “manipulate” the price of essential goods or services in Nevada.
Sounds good, right? Who wouldn’t want to stop shady businesses from jacking up prices?
But here’s the catch: the bill uses vague, complicated language that gives the government a lot of power and gives consumers… almost nothing.
Under the bill, it’s considered “manipulation” if a company causes a price increase that’s higher than the 5-year average for that product – unless the change is due to supply and demand.
That’s a pretty fuzzy standard.
And who decides what counts as “supply and demand”? The government.
Worse, it only lets the government – specifically, the Attorney General – bring enforcement actions. Regular people can’t sue.
That means if your rent spikes or your utility bill doubles, you can’t do anything unless Ford says so.
Political Timing, Not Real Reform
Here’s the truth: this bill is a political stunt.
Ford is expected to run for governor in 2026, and AB44 gives him the perfect soundbite: “I took on greedy corporations!”
But like most things in politics, the timing tells the real story.
Ford’s office prefiled this bill way back in November 2024 – right as he started dropping hints about his political ambitions.
And now that the legislative session is in full swing, he’s making a lot of noise about “protecting consumers.”
Don’t be fooled. This is all about headlines, not results.
Real Problems, Fake Solutions
Nevadans are still hurting from the Biden-Harris-Ford era. The problems were caused by bad policy, overregulation, and government interference.
Ford’s bill won’t stop rising prices. In fact, it could make things worse by punishing honest businesses who are just trying to stay afloat.
Think about it this way: if a local grocery store has to pay more to stock milk and eggs, and they raise prices to cover the cost, will that be considered “manipulation”?
Under AB44, maybe.
That uncertainty could lead stores to cut back inventory or shut down entirely – hurting the very people Ford claims to be trying to protect.
Exemptions for Political Friends
Even worse, the bill includes carveouts for politically connected industries.
For example, resort hotels – major players on the Las Vegas Strip – are exempt from the price manipulation rules. So are ride-share companies like Uber.
Why are these big corporations getting special treatment while regular businesses are left exposed?
Simple: follow the money.
It’s no secret that Ford has strong ties to the Strip’s biggest donors. By exempting them from enforcement, he keeps the campaign cash flowing while pretending to be a populist hero.
What Should Be Done Instead?
If Ford really wanted to help Nevadans, he’d focus on reducing the cost of living by cutting taxes, loosening zoning rules to allow more housing, and getting rid of unnecessary regulations that drive up business costs.
Instead, he’s giving us another bloated government power grab, wrapped in feel-good rhetoric.
Nevadans don’t need more empty promises. We need leaders who will fight for real, lasting solutions – not flashy press releases designed to boost their poll numbers.
Bottom Line
AB44 is classic political theater: all show, no substance.
Ford wants to look like a crusader against high prices while protecting his political allies and laying the groundwork for his next campaign.
It’s time to call it what it is – an election-year gimmick dressed up as consumer protection.
Let’s keep our eyes open, Nevada. We’ve seen this play before.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
