NEW REPORT: Prices continue to rise as families pick up the tab for Republican-backed tariffs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

NEW REPORT: Prices continue to rise as families pick up the tab for Republican-backed tariffs

Soaring gas and grocery costs are stretching family budgets even thinner, as more tariffs continue to go into effect

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, new data released from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows inflation continues to rise, hitting Wisconsin families where it hurts most – at the grocery store and gas pump. Consumer prices rose in August, driving the annual inflation rate to 2.9%, the highest since January. Food prices also saw the highest monthly increase in nearly three years – while gas prices climbed 1.9%.

Costs are on the rise as tariffs backed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress including Representatives Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden continue to go into effect, including new tariffs at the end of August which will increase prices on small online purchases. Wisconsin families are also being hit with new costs thanks to the Republican Tax Law passed earlier this year, which cuts access to health care, SNAP, and more, all to fund new tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and big corporations. 

"Wisconsin families are paying the price for the disastrous Republican Tax Law and Trump's tariffs that Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden supported," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "While they voted to give massive tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations, working families are now struggling to afford basic groceries and fill up their gas tanks. It’s time for Congress to restore cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and start giving struggling families the support they deserve."

CNN: Double whammy for Americans: Inflation continues to rise as jobs outlook grows weaker

• The cost of living continues to increase for Americans at a time when the job market appears to be on shakier footing, creating a complicated economic problem that could be tricky to solve.
   

• Consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, driving the annual inflation rate to 2.9%, the highest since January, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Thursday. The reading marked an acceleration from the 2.7% increase seen in July, with price hikes driving up the cost of Americans' most basic needs.
   

• Grocery and fuel prices shot higher in August after falling the month before. Food at home prices rose 0.6% — the highest monthly jump in nearly three years — and gas prices climbed by 1.9% after falling 2.2% the month before.
   

• The latest Consumer Price Index provided further evidence that some costs from President Donald Trump's policies, such as sweeping immigration reform and steep tariffs, are slowly being passed along to consumers, economist Dean Baker, co-founder of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, told CNN on Thursday.
   

• Paychecks also aren't going as far as they used to: Real (inflation-adjusted) hourly earnings slowed to 0.7% in August, the lowest gain in more than a year, BLS data shows.

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On National Food Bank Day, Opportunity Wisconsin launches “Pints for a Purpose” food drive in partnership with Public Brewing Company

As cuts to SNAP and rising costs threaten access to food, organizers are supporting local food banks by encouraging donations through September 19th

KENOSHA, Wis. – Today, on National Food Bank Day, Opportunity Wisconsin and Public Brewing Company in Kenosha are kicking off the “Pints for a Purpose” food drive to support local organizations working to prevent hunger. Through September 19th, anyone who brings in non-perishable food items to the brewery will receive a token for a free pint, with donations supporting the Shalom Center and The Sharing Center—two organizations fighting hunger in Kenosha and Kenosha County.

The food drive comes after steep cuts to SNAP included in the Republican Tax Law are threatening to take food away from tens of thousands of Wisconsin families. These cuts, along with tariffs increasing the cost of food and other goods, make local food banks more crucial than ever.

"No family should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from or how they'll afford groceries, yet that is the current reality for too many Wisconsinites. We’re excited to partner with Public Brewing Company to encourage members of the community to support local organizations who are fighting hunger and supporting families in need," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. 

The drive runs through September 19th, with donations accepted at the bar or in collection bins by the host stand. Participants who donate today will also receive an extra bingo card for Granny Bingo with host Ester Flonaze, which runs from 8:00 - 10:00 PM. Public Brewing Company is located at 628 58th St., Kenosha, WI.

Opportunity Wisconsin recently partnered with local ice cream parlors in Eau Claire and La Crosse for food drives which secured over 550 pounds of non-perishable food items and household goods to support local organizations.

TODAY: New Trump tariffs go into effect targeting small online purchases

TODAY: New Trump tariffs go into effect targeting small online purchases

Online shopping could be more expensive as new Republican-backed tariffs force prices on clothing, accessories, and more to increase

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, starting today, new tariffs backed by Republicans will go into effect on small packages shipped internationally, making it harder and more expensive for Wisconsin families and small businesses to get everyday items they rely on.

The tariffs apply to individual items with a value of $800 or less – affecting clothing, footwear, accessories, and health and cosmetic items that are ordered online. This will significantly impact small businesses who rely on imported goods, shuttering local businesses. Previously, these smaller purchases were exempt from tariffs, but that exemption was rolled back by President Trump as part of his continued push to increase tariffs and force prices to increase. Republicans in Congress, including Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden have been silent on Trump’s latest escalation after voting for tariffs earlier this year.

The changes are hitting Wisconsin families at a time when they're already struggling with higher costs from the Republican Tax Law, which cut health care and SNAP to pay for massive tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.

“If you were planning to spend time shopping online over the weekend, you’re in for a shock. Thanks to President Trump and Republicans in Congress, everyday items purchased online are going to cost even more,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Deputy Program Director Rowan Gravlin. "Whether it's clothing, shoes, or accessories, Republican tariffs are driving up costs and limiting options for working families and small business owners while he hands out tax cuts to the wealthy.”

The de minimis shipping rules are slated to change this week. Here's what that means for you. – Business Insider, August 25, 2025

• Many delivery companies are pausing services to the US as they adapt to the new rules, citing a lack of clarity over how to comply and who pays for and enforces the changes.
   

• This means consumers may not be able to receive their favorite products, at least for a while, and may be met with rising prices.
   

• The libertarian CATO think tank said in February that the change would have 'serious implications for average Americans,' particularly those in the poorest zip codes, where a higher proportion of di minimis shipments are sent.

Trump suspends tax exemption for cheap shipments– CNN Business, August 3, 2025

• Trump eliminated the so-called “de minimis exemption,” which had admitted duty-free shipments of goods worth $800 or less into the United States.
   

• When Trump's executive order goes into effect on August 29, most goods shipped internationally will be subject to the tariffs of the country of origin. Those duties will be about $80 per item for a country with a tariff rate less than 16%, $160 per item for a country of a tariff rate between 16% and 25%, $200 per item for a country with a tariff rate above 25%.

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"Cones for a Cause" food drive collects over 550 lbs of food and supplies as Wisconsin families face Republican cuts to SNAP and rising costs from tariffs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025 

CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

"Cones for a Cause" food drive collects over 550 lbs of food and supplies as Wisconsin families face Republican cuts to SNAP and rising costs from tariffs

Community partners in Eau Claire and La Crosse stepped up to help neighbors in need while Republicans continue to drive up prices and cut food assistance

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin today announced the conclusion of its "Cones for a Cause" food drive, which collected more than 550 pounds of food and hygiene supplies to support Wisconsin families in need. 

The food drive was launched in response to devastating Republican cuts to SNAP benefits, included in the recently enacted Republican Tax Law that Congressmen Bryan Steil and Van Orden voted for. The law rips food away from up to 90,000 Wisconsin families, while tariffs continue to drive up the cost of groceries and other essentials for working families across the state. 

The drive collected 250 pounds of food at Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor in Eau Claire for The Community Table and over 300 pounds of food and hygiene supplies at The Pearl in La Crosse which were donated to The Hunger Task Force and Hope Restores in La Crosse. Customers who donated a non-perishable food item at the ice cream shops received a free cone in exchange for their donation.

Federal data continues to show the crushing impact of Republican policies on Wisconsin families. Recent Consumer Price Index data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows consumer prices rising thanks to expanded tariffs, with economists warning that consumers could soon see additional increases as tariffs continue to be implemented.

Both Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden voted multiple times to support these tariff policies and have remained silent as costs continue to increase for Wisconsin families. 

"Wisconsin families are getting hit twice—first with higher prices at the store thanks to Trump's tariffs, then with major cuts to health care and food assistance included in the Republican Tax Law that will drive up their costs—all to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “We’re so grateful to the Wisconsinites who stepped up to support this food drive and our local partners, Ramone’s and The Pearl, for making this event a success."

Western Wisconsin residents speak out against Republican Tax Law ahead of Vice President’s La Crosse visit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2025

CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

Western Wisconsin residents speak out against Republican Tax Law ahead of Vice President’s La Crosse visit

As Vance celebrates law that cuts SNAP, rips healthcare away, and slashes jobs, Wisconsinites call for elected officials to support working families instead

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Ahead of Vice President JD Vance's visit to La Crosse tomorrow to promote the Republican Tax Law, western Wisconsin residents are speaking out against legislation that makes major cuts to SNAP and Medicaid while handing additional tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations.

The Republican law makes devastating cuts to programs that help Wisconsin families, veterans, and seniors access basic necessities like food and healthcare, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.

Lars Espeland of Eau Claire: “There’s no hiding it, the Republican Tax Law makes disastrous cuts to programs that our neighbors and communities depend on. Because of this law, it’s getting harder for people to afford healthcare, put food on the table, and succeed.”

Bobbi Schmidt, a La Crosse parent: “As a parent and SNAP recipient, it’s clear to me that the priorities of the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress like Derrick Van Orden don’t help families here in Wisconsin succeed. Ripping away healthcare and pushing costs higher is bad enough, but it’s unconscionable that this is being done just to give big corporations and the ultra-rich more tax breaks. We need our elected officials to start prioritizing working families. ”

Under the Republican Tax Law, an estimated 49,000 Wisconsinites, including families with children, seniors, and veterans, could lose access to SNAP. The law will also rip healthcare away from as many as 128,000 Wisconsinites as a result of changes to Medicaid/BadgerCare and the loss of health tax credits from the Affordable Care Act.

Oliver Winn of Eau Claire: “If Vice President Vance and Congressman Van Orden were interested in supporting families in western Wisconsin, they would’ve stopped the Republican Tax Law in its tracks. 128,000 Wisconsinites are now at risk of not being able to access the care they need to stay healthy, manage illnesses, and thrive.”

Sharon Dillon of Eau Claire: “This law is bad for Wisconsin workers and our economy. While forcing tens of thousands of Wisconsinites to worry about how they’ll make ends meet and afford basics like healthcare and food, the Republican Tax Law also raises energy prices and cuts thousands of good paying jobs. With so many families also struggling, this law just makes things worse.”

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ICYMI: Wisconsin families hit hard by Trump's tariffs as costs rise on back-to-school shopping, home improvement, and more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

ICYMI: Wisconsin families hit hard by Trump's tariffs as costs rise on back-to-school shopping, home improvement, and more

Recent reporting details how tariffs backed by Trump and Republicans including Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden are driving up costs on more items

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, recent coverage details how Wisconsin families are feeling the pinch from tariffs backed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress, including Reps. Steil and Van Orden as major retailers, announce price increases and some families turn to pawn shops for back-to-school shopping. 

The impact is hitting Wisconsin families where it hurts most – in their wallets and at the worst possible time. As families prepare for the new school year, tariffs have boosted the prices on some key back-to-school items, with shoes jumping 1.4% in July alone and costs of apparel also on the rise. As families are forced to make difficult choices about spending, new reports detail how pawn shops are seeing increased traffic. Meanwhile, Home Depot announced that some of its prices could be going up because of tariffs.

The pain isn't limited to consumers. Wisconsin small businesses are struggling with Trump's tariffs also. Local business owners have been forced to absorb increased costs, threatening their success, or raising prices on their customers.

"Wisconsin families are paying the price for these disastrous tariffs backed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress including Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil. Whether it’s back-to-school shopping, home repairs, or even a cup of coffee, prices are on the rise because of these tariffs" said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "Instead of looking out for working families, they're driving up costs for families and small businesses, while giving tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations. Wisconsin families are already struggling and these tariffs will only make it harder for them to get ahead."

Home Depot says it will raise some prices because of tariffs – News 8000, August 20, 2025

• “For some imported goods, tariff rates are significantly higher today than they were at this time last quarter,” he said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that was confirmed by the company to CNN. “So as you would expect, there will be modest price movement in some categories, but it won’t be broad based.”
  

• Despite sales in the quarter jumping 5% from last year, Home Depot’s net income slipped 0.2% over the same time period due to higher operating costs. The company believes its full-year earnings per share will fall 2% as economic uncertainty and high interest rates are keeping many consumers from moving forward with major home renovation plans.

Pawn shops: The surprising back-to-school shopping destination – CNN August 18, 2025

• Americans are back-to-school shopping earlier than previous years due to fears of tariffs raising prices. Families with tighter budgets are finding deals in a less traditional place: pawn shops.

• “With the way the economy is right now, people realize that they can go to a pawn shop anywhere in the United States, and they can save tremendous amounts of money,” said Les Gold, owner of the pawn shop American Jewelry and Loan in Detroit.
  

• Tariffs have boosted the prices on some key back-to-school items. The US imports the majority of its clothes and shoes from China, Vietnam and Cambodia — all countries facing tariffs of upwards of 30%. The price of shoes jumped 1.4% in July from the month before, while apparel rose 0.1%, according to July’s Consumer Price Index.

Beer, (cold) brew, bikes: How tariffs impact 5 Green Bay, Fox Valley businesses – Green Bay Press-Gazette, August 7, 2025

• Coffee Wizardz co-owner Sam Brown told Baldwin he didn't sleep the night before the Allouez-based gourmet coffee roaster in March 2025 notified customers it would gradually increase prices due to climate change and tariffs.
  

• Ultimately, Brown said prices increased 20%. He said small coffee companies, especially ones that change up menus, can't buy a year's worth of beans to delay tariffs' impacts like much larger, national chains can.
  

• Lora Glasel, co-owner of Recyclist Bicycle Co. shop in Kaukauna, said a lot of bikes are made in Vietnam, Cambodia and Taiwan and thus risk import tariffs. Plus, she said suppliers have already raised prices to account for tariffs, so Recyclist and similar shops felt the impact immediately and had no choice but to raise prices.
  

• Hinterland has not raised prices in three years, but is strongly considering it as costs mount. He noted suppliers have already raised prices, but the brewery needs to give its distributors 60 days' notice before it can raise prices, meaning Hinterland has to absorb many short-term price fluctuations.

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ICYMI: Wisconsinites mark 90th anniversary of Social Security, call on Congress to protect benefits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

ICYMI: Wisconsinites mark 90th anniversary of Social Security, call on Congress to protect benefits

"Protect Our Checks" events in Eau Claire and Mt. Pleasant joined nationwide effort to highlight real impact of proposed cuts on seniors, veterans, and working families

MADISON, Wis. – On Saturday local leaders and community members gathered across Wisconsin on Saturday for "Protect Our Checks" press conferences in Eau Claire and Mt. Pleasant to mark the 90th anniversary of Social Security and call on Congress to protect benefits for Wisconsin families.

The events were part of a national day of action with more than 50 similar gatherings across the country, coming at a time when staff cuts at the Social Security Administration have increased wait times and ongoing threats to privatize the program continue to mount.

Participants shared personal stories about how Social Security serves as a vital lifeline for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and working families across Wisconsin. They called on Congress to keep Social Security Administration offices open and fully funded, instead of prioritizing tax breaks for billionaires while making essential services inaccessible to those who need them most:

“Republicans in Congress have pushed forward with an agenda that guts programs working people rely on to afford basic life necessities like food and health care, all to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Regional Organizer Cierra Chesir speaking in Mount Pleasant Saturday. “This, along with ongoing attacks on Social Security, makes it clear what congressional Republicans' priority is: to take from working families to give to the rich.

“Last year, I was diagnosed with a disease that put me in a lot of risk and put us in more debt,” said Carol Rudd, a Social Security recipient who spoke at the Eau Claire event. “We're spread so thin right now that if we didn't have our Social Security, I don't know what we would do. And that's the biggest fear in our life right now, is that we will be losing some of that, or all of that, and where would we be?”

“Social Security has kept people in their homes. It's kept people fed. It's kept people healthy, and the thought that this could go away has flooded my inboxes and my phone lines in my office,” added State Representative Jodi Emerson. “People are so scared about what might be happening that they're contacting my office and reaching out about this.”

The events highlighted the real impact that proposed cuts and office closures would have on thousands of people in Wisconsin communities who depend on these benefits to provide for themselves and their families.

Social Security Administration offices have faced significant staffing cuts in recent years, leading to longer wait times for services and reduced access to benefits for those who need them most. The program serves 1.2 million Wisconsin residents, including seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Saturday's events underscored the importance of protecting and strengthening Social Security for current and future generations, rather than implementing cuts that would make it harder for Wisconsin families to access the benefits they've earned.

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ICYMI: Republican Tax Law will take health care away from more than 15 million Americans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

ICYMI: Republican Tax Law will take health care away from more than 15 million Americans

New analysis by the Congressional Budget Office details how the law Congressmen Steil and Van Orden voted for will rip care away from millions

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an updated analysis of the Republican Tax Law this week, confirming that more than 15 million Americans will lose health care as a result of the law’s passage. 

According to the report, 10 million Americans will lose access to health care as a direct result of the law, while a previous CBO analysis also found an additional 5.1 million will lose access because premium tax credits are set to expire under the new law. In addition to taking health care away from millions of Americans, the Republican Tax Law also makes devastating cuts to SNAP, which helps working families in Wisconsin survive, all to give new tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. Wisconsin’s entire Republican congressional delegation voted for the bill, including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden.

“Thanks to Congressmen Steil and Van Orden’s votes, millions of Americans will be left without access to health care. They voted for a law that prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, while throwing millions of lives into chaos as families struggle with how to afford the basic care they need to succeed,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Programs Director Meghan Roh. “The Republican Tax Law ignores what’s best for people. Whether it’s ripping healthcare away, jeopardizing Medicaid, or forcing more families to go hungry, this law is going to hurt Wisconsinites.”

AP: Budget office says Trump’s tax law will add $3.4 trillion to deficits, leave 10 million uninsured

• President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law will add $3.4 trillion to federal deficits through 2034, the Congressional Budget Office reported Monday, a slight increase in the projection that takes into account the final tweaks that Republicans made before getting the legislation over the finish line.
   

• More than 10 million people will be uninsured under the law in 2034 because of the law, CBO found.
   

• The release of the CBO analysis Monday comes at the end of a grueling legislative fight, but at the start of a longer political struggle to come as the two parties clash over the law’s impact on the economy, healthcare and government programs. Republicans are touting the bill as a tax cut for all Americans, yet a recent AP-NORC poll found about two-thirds of U.S. adults expect the new tax law will help the rich as Democrats attack the legislation.

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