ICYMI: Baldwin Wraps Up First Week of “Ending Chaos, Lowering Costs” Statewide Tour

WISCONSIN - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) wrapped up the first week of her "Ending Chaos, Lowering Costs" statewide tour with stops in Madison, Richland Center, La Crosse, Onalaska, and Eau Claire, meeting with Wisconsin families and small businesses and highlighting how she is fighting to end the high costs and hardship that Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump have created.

In Madison, Senator Baldwin visited a local Boys & Girls Club to help pack donated school materials and meet with staff and stakeholders to hear how rising costs are hurting families this back-to-school season. Trump's tariffs and war in Iran have increased back-to-school supplies' costs for families, with nearly half of parents saying they are cutting back on other household expenses to make room for back-to-school shopping.

In Richland Center, Senator Baldwin stopped by Richland Hospital to learn how $4.5 million in direct federal support she secured is helping update this critical access hospital and medical center. The visit and Baldwin-backed support come as Republicans made historic cuts to the Medicaid program in their signature One, Big Beautiful Bill, which is poised to devastate rural hospitals and threaten the closure of critical access facilities for Wisconsin.

In La Crosse, Senator Baldwin visited with small businesses - including Oh Oh Coffee, Larson's General Store, and Kroner's Hardware - to discuss how President Trump's trade war with our allies and his illegal war in Iran are driving up costs and squeezing Wisconsin Main Street shops and their consumers. A poll conducted by Small Business Majority in June found that 63% of small business owners reported decreased profit margins this year and 74% reported that they are being impacted by recent increases in fuel and transportation costs.

In Eau Claire, Senator Baldwin hosted a roundtable with local bar and restaurant owners to talk about how her new bill, the For the Fans Act, will save small businesses money and cut through the confusing landscape of watching televised sports. Her legislation would end blackouts and force leagues to provide a free viewing option for local fans. The bill comes as the Packers' upcoming 2026-27 season schedule has four games on Amazon Prime and Netflix, forcing fans outside of the Milwaukee and Green Bay media markets to pay for games.

The tour comes as Senator Baldwin released a brand-new report earlier this week showing that, from the ongoing trade war, war in Iran, and chaos, Congressional Republicans and President Trump are costing Wisconsin families more than $3,300 for everyday essentials like housing, gas, and groceries.

Key findings from this report can be found below:

• Wisconsin Families Spending $3,300+: As of June 2026, the average household in Wisconsin has had to spend more than $3,300 more on goods and services under President Trump, including $794 more on housing costs such as rent and mortgages, $310 more for groceries, and $120 more for electricity.
• Back-to-School Essential Cost 20% More: As the cost of essentials like lunch boxes, notepad paper, index cards, and tissues has increased by 20% or more, nearly half of parents say they are cutting back on other household expenses to make room for back-to-school shopping. Additionally, packing lunches will cost families more than $3,800 this school year, up nearly $400 from last year.
• Wisconsinites Spent $1 billion More on Gas: Wisconsinites have spent an estimated $1 billion more on gas. Nationwide, 75% of Americans believe that they have faced hardships due to the rising costs of gas.
• Farmers Spend 73% More on Diesel: Wisconsin farmers spent $43,800,000 or 73.6% more, on diesel fuel during this year's planting season than they did last year.

Next week, Senator Baldwin's tour continues with stops in the Superior area, Wausau, Green Bay, and Monona.

Read the full report here.

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