Nevada: Nevada Attorney General

Candidates

John Hunt, Democrat
Brian Sandoval , Republican

Issues: Bureau of Consumer Protection | Utility Services | Consumer Protection |

The issue boxes contained on this page are not clickable online. Please print the page and make notes for your reference.

Question

Do you support the independence of the Consumer Advocate and what, if any, changes would you propose to the structure of the Bureau of Consumer Protection?

AARP Response

The Attorney General appoints the Consumer Advocate who also serves as the Chief Deputy Attorney General over the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

AARP believes that:

1. The Consumer Advocate and the Bureau of Consumer Protection should be sufficiently funded to represent the interests of residential utility customers at public hearings before regulatory boards.

2. It should be operated in a manner independent of partisanship and other outside influences.

3. The Bureau should be adequately staffed in order to effectively initiate campaigns to provide protection to consumers in all areas under its jurisdiction.

Issue	Yes	No	Unclear
Supports independence of Consumer Advocate
Assures adequate funding for office
Provides sufficient staffing

Candidate Response: John Hunt

Consumer protection is one of the most important functions of the Attorney General's office. Nevadans need a strong advocate to keep them safe from unscrupulous or fraudulent corporations. If I am elected Attorney General, I will work to make sure the Bureau of Consumer Protection is fully staffed and fully funded. We already have some of the most talented lawyers in the state working for the Bureau of Consumer Protection, so I don't believe any major changes are needed. Instead, I hope to strengthen the Bureau and make it more efficient. I believe we can do even more to protect Nevadans from fraud without raising taxes, adding costs, or fattening the bureaucracy.

Candidate Response: Brian Sandoval

The candidate was invited to participate in this voter guide, but did not respond by the publishing deadline.

Question

What plans do you have for providing consumer-oriented oversight of the deregulation of power especially in the case of large providers of electricity in both Northern and Southern Nevada?

AARP Response

All utility services are essential to modern life and are crucial to health and personal welfare. The loss of utility services could have a devastating consequence, especially on older citizens. AARP believes that the following critical standards must form a foundation that supports the development and evaluation of utility policy: customer information; quality of service; service termination; consumer education; public participation; low-income discounts; and, anticompetitive safeguards.

Issue	Yes	No	Unclear
Supports low-income discounts
Assures consumer representation
Supports fair treatment for all groups in selecting power provider

Candidate Response: John Hunt

Skyrocketing power rates are one of the biggest financial burdens facing Nevadans right now. Sierra Pacific Resources acquired Nevada Power three years ago, and since then has raised power rates ten times. Nevadans, especially senior citizens on fixed incomes, are suffering. As Attorney General, I will fight to protect our seniors, and all Nevadans, from unreasonable power rates. I also urge Southern Nevadans to support Question 14 on the ballot. We need new management at Nevada Power, so we can have cheaper and more reliable power in the future.

Candidate Response: Brian Sandoval

The candidate was invited to participate in this voter guide, but did not respond by the publishing deadline.

Question

Do you believe that consumer protection and community crime prevention laws for Nevada seniors are adequate? If no, what would you do to strengthen them?

AARP Response

AARP supports strengthening and expanding consumer protection. These programs are fundamental to ensuring that older citizens are treated fairly in the marketplace. Funding should also be allocated for outreach and education programs, which are vital, preventative measures to protect consumers.

Nevada should encourage and sponsor community crime prevention programs to inform older citizens hour the criminal justice system works, how to report suspicious activities and explain how older people can reduce opportunities for crime and risk of

victimization.

Issue	Yes	No	Unclear
Supports community crime and prevention programs
Provides resources for outreach and education
Expands areas of consumer protections

Candidate Response: John Hunt

Even more important than strengthening our laws, we must make sure that our laws are being enforced properly. As Attorney General I will use

the full force of the law to crack down on criminals and con artists who prey on our senior citizens. I also hope to strengthen our education and community outreach programs, so seniors will be better informed about their legal rights. There are ways to spot scam artists, and systems in place to report them to the authorities. I want to make sure that every senior citizen, and every Nevadan, has access to that information so they can protect themselves, their families, their finances, and their futures.

Candidate Response: Brian Sandoval

The candidate was invited to participate in this voter guide, but did not respond by the publishing deadline.