Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s campaign has released a report estimating that Democratic rival Aaron Ford’s policy agenda would generate $18.1 billion in government and private-sector costs over four years. The report assigns estimated costs to 76 Ford proposals, combining projected Nevada spending with costs that would be borne by businesses and the federal government.

Breakdown of Costs

The analysis projects $7.93 billion in direct state spending over a four-year term, with Ford’s healthcare agenda carrying the largest price tag at an estimated $4.25 billion. His K-12 education plan is estimated to cost $3.68 billion alone, including raising Nevada’s per-pupil funding to the national average and expanding pre-K.

Ford’s campaign disputes the report’s findings, arguing that the analysis invents implementation plans Ford never proposed and misclassifies some federal and private costs. The Ford campaign also claims that many of the projected expenses would not require new state appropriations.

Reaction to the Report

Former Nevada state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, who previously served as chief of staff to Lombardo, said that Ford’s proposals would require significant tax increases, stating that the level of spending ‘is simply not sustainable for Nevada.’ Nevada Democratic lawmaker Daniele Monroe-Moreno, chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, called the report ‘fake math’ and said Ford’s platform consists of ‘common-sense policies that will save Nevadans money at very little to no cost to the state.’

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.