Trump tariffs force Pennsylvania parents to pay more for school supplies

New report shows increase in back-to-school spending for parents living in these three vulnerable Republican congressional districts.

Parents across Pennsylvania are spending more money this year getting their children ready to go back to school because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. 

A new report issued by Affordable Pennsylvania found that school books and supplies have jumped nearly 10% over the past year, forcing parents to take on debt to get ready for the school year. 

The data shows how these increased prices are affecting families in US Reps. Scott Perry (R-York), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh), and Rob Bresnahan’s (R-Lackwanna) districts—all congressmen who supported Trump’s tariffs and voted for his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

“I am frustrated with rising costs and the increasing economic inequality. I see the impact it’s having on my community,” Amanda Pauley, a Bresnahan constituent living in Pike County, said in a statement.

“I don’t believe that people like my congressman, Rep. Rob Bresnahan, who has a private helicopter, can possibly understand the struggles of everyday people in NEPA. I hope when he hears stories like mine he will take real steps toward lowering costs for families.”

According to Deloitte, the average family is going to spend $570 getting their children ready for school this year, while a survey by Credit Karma found that that close to 40% of parents with at least one school-age child report that they were unable to afford back-to-school supplies for the upcoming school year. 

Families living in the Harrisburg and Lehigh Valley areas fare better than those living in Northeastern Pennsylvania when it comes to purchasing school supplies. 

Affordable Pennsylvania found that families with two children living in Perry’s district spend more than 68% of their remaining income on back-to-school supplies, while families with two children living in Mackenzie’s district have to spend more than 74% of their remaining discretionary money on those supplies. 

However, families with two children attending school in Bresnahan’s district need to spend 149% of their remaining discretionary income to cover the back-to-school basics. 

“As their children return to school, Trump’s tariffs are increasing the financial burden on working families in Pennsylvania,” Rachele Fortier, executive director for Affordable Pennsylvania, said in a statement.

“Congressmen Mackenzie, Bresnahan, and Perry have promised their constituents they would fight for lower costs, but instead they’re falling in line to cut critical assistance programs and support Trump’s extreme tariffs. We urge these congressmen to listen to their constituents about the rising costs of education and stand up to Trump for lower costs.”