MILWAUKEE, Wis. – As Wisconsin parents like David Crowley send their kids back to school this fall, they’re paying more than ever to do it. New reporting this back-to-school season shows the cost of basic school supplies has jumped 7.7% compared to last year, with prices on staples like lunch boxes, notebooks, and index cards climbing 20% or more, increases researchers and retailers alike are tying directly to Trump and Tiffany’s tariffs and rising fuel costs. Nearly half of parents now say they’ll have to take on debt just to cover the back-to-school list.

Crowley says the squeeze Wisconsin parents are feeling this month is exactly why affordability is at the center of his governor’s agenda, and why properly funding Wisconsin’s public schools can’t wait.

“As the father of three daughters preparing to send my kids back to school, I know that across Wisconsin families like mine are seeing the costs of school supplies go up higher than ever before,” Crowley said. “Trump and MAGA Congressman Tom Tiffany continue to back trade wars that drive up prices and hurt Wisconsin families. As governor, I will always put affordability first so our working families can focus on the things that matter most, not worry if they can afford the essentials.”

What David Crowley Will Get Done As Governor:


  • Tackle the cost-of-living crisis head-on, fighting the tariffs and trade wars backed by Trump and MAGA Congressman Tom Tiffany that are driving up prices on everything from school supplies to groceries.
  • Make child care and 4-K affordable and accessible in every community, so parents aren’t forced to choose between a paycheck and caring for their kids.
  • Deliver new, reliable investments in Wisconsin’s public schools and universal early childhood education, so every child has a strong foundation from day one.
  • Close the special education funding gap so schools and students aren’t left to make up the difference on their own.

    What David Crowley Has Already Delivered for Wisconsin:
  • As County Executive, Crowley helped secure over $800,000 in federal grant funding for early childhood development services targeting low-income families in Milwaukee County.
  • Under Crowley’s leadership, Milwaukee County signed the largest property tax cut in county history, putting money back in families’ pockets while maintaining essential services.
  • Crowley’s administration has invested more than $45 million in affordable housing and tens of millions in eviction prevention, recognizing that housing costs and education outcomes for kids go hand in hand.

    Building a statewide agenda rooted in affordability
  • Crowley’s Badger Basics Plan centers on fully funding public schools, raising the special education reimbursement rate, and making child care and 4-K affordable and accessible in every community across Wisconsin.

  • Crowley has said Wisconsin needs to get state school funding back to covering two-thirds of costs, easing the property tax burden that falls on local communities when the state underfunds education.
  • The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), the state’s largest union of educators, endorsed Crowley for governor, citing his commitment to students, educators, and public education.