Governor Lombardo Urges President Biden to Rein In Federal Spending, Release Federal Lands

Today, Governor Joe Lombardo sent a letter (see below)  to President Joe Biden urging his administration to curb inflation by reining in federal spending and to take action on the housing shortage in Nevada.

“Here in Nevada, we are now at a stage where the housing shortage and inflation are tearing at the very fabric of our state,” said Governor Lombardo. “Just yesterday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the March Consumer Price Index, which showed that consumer prices spiked 3.5 percent over March 2023  – this is unsustainable. Your administration must halt excessive federal spending to curb future inflation, which will lead to irreversible calamity not only in Nevada but across the nation.”

The BLS also reports that more than half of the monthly increase in prices was driven by a spike in housing and energy costs and has prolonged economic recovery. Additionally, the Fed admits that the “better than expected” jobs report last month was due to an increase in part-time employment.

Since President Joe Biden assumed office, consumer prices have risen over 19 percent.

As reported by The Globe, inflation is hitting Nevadans the hardest.

The Joint Economic committee reports that Nevada’s inflation rate rose to a whopping 21.6 percent, an increase of one percent from last month. Relative to January 2021 prices, Nevadans are paying an additional $1,168 per month, or $27,782 per year, for basic household expenses.

Back in November, 2023, The Globe reported that Nevadans are spending over $13,296 per household due to “Bidenomics.” In May 2022, The Globe reported that Nevadan households were hit the hardest by inflation. At that time, Nevadans were paying an additional $8,231 annually for basic household expenses.

Governor Lombardo also expressed concerns about the impact of high inflation and interest rates on the housing market, noting:

“According to statistics from the Federal Reserve of St. Louis, the median home price in Las Vegas was $342,995 when you took office in 2021. Yet by January 2024, that price had reached $460,000. Utilizing a 3.5% down payment through a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan (principal/interest only) in January 2021, the monthly payment on a median home would have been $1,363.00 at the market interest rate of 2.82%. Today, that same median home would be $2,808.00 per month at the market interest rate of 6.51% – which is over double the monthly cost to Nevada families.”

Governor Lombardo also reiterated the concerns of his previous letter, where he urged President Biden to quickly take action on the attainable housing crisis and to release federal lands in Nevada for development. The governor contends that by making federal lands available, Nevada could increase its housing supply and address shortages, which would ultimately drive down costs.

“We must remember the impact short sighted policies and excessive spending have on all Americans and must all practice restraint, so the American Dream doesn’t become unattainable for hard-working families,” concluded Governor Lombardo. “Mr. President, it is time for your administration to embrace free market principles that rely upon supply and demand and rein in excessive federal spending that is hurting Nevada families.”