Nevada is putting ideology before affordability—again. Beginning June 20, every egg sold in the state must be sourced from cage-free hens, reinstating a regulation that was temporarily lifted when common sense briefly prevailed. This return to feel-good policymaking comes despite the fact that working-class families are still reeling from inflation and supply shocks driven by bird flu outbreaks.

Earlier this year, the Nevada Department of Agriculture issued a rare and reasonable temporary order allowing the sale of non-cage-free eggs, after avian flu caused a shortage and spiked prices. It was a welcome move for everyday Nevadans who just needed to put food on the table—especially those relying on eggs as a primary and affordable source of protein.

NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea even acknowledged the reality: “Eggs are typically the most cost-effective protein source for food-insecure populations,” he said. But despite this common-sense admission, the state is choosing to revert to restrictions that limit supply and ultimately raise prices for Nevada families.

Meanwhile, the bird flu—largely carried by migratory birds—remains a risk. Though the summer may see relief, fall could bring another wave. The NDA says they’ll consider reintroducing flexibility later in the year if supply issues return. But why must policy constantly play catch-up to crisis? Why not let consumers decide what’s best for their families in the first place?

Nevada’s rural communities and low-income households deserve better than regulatory flip-flops driven by ideological agendas. When bureaucrats control the shelves, families suffer the consequences.

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