As a mom, I know how stressful back-to-school season can be – and that’s before you’re left footing the bill for skyrocketing costs. Parents are already being squeezed trying to put a roof over their heads, pay for groceries, and now even basic school supplies come with shocking price tags.
A new analysis found that families will pay an average of more than 7% more for essential school supplies and $163 more on lunch-box staples this school year. And 85% of Americans are concerned about rising back-to-school prices. All because of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Donald Trump promised to lower costs on “day one.” When he took office, I was hopeful that I’d be able to work together with the President to lower costs. Instead, he’s waged an irresponsible tariff war that constitutes a massive tax hike on the goods American consumers pay for. Now, as summer comes to a close, prices on school supplies and groceries continue to rise.
Here’s the reality Colorado families are facing this school year:
Nearly two-thirds of parents started back-to-school shopping earlier than ever, to beat tariff price hikes deadlines.
1 in 3 parents can’t afford back-to-school shopping this year.
Nearly half of these families are being forced into debt just to buy school supplies.
All of these numbers are up from 2024.
Donald Trump needs to know that his policies are having real-life impacts on our district. And if he’s never made a trip to Walmart or Target to buy glue sticks, backpacks, and snacks for his kids’ lunchboxes, then someone needs to tell him.
Back-to-school shopping shouldn’t have to push families to the brink of bankruptcy.
Schools are already being asked to do more with less, and Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill” will only make it worse.Instead of prioritizing time for dictators and his billionaire friends, he should prioritize lowering costs for American families.
I’ll continue pressing this administration to put families first and lower costs, because Colorado families can’t afford more broken promises.
