As North Carolinians start back to school today, the cost of groceries and school supplies are on the rise thanks to Michael Whatley-backed tariffs.

Last week, Whatley falsely claimed costs are down — but here’s the reality for North Carolina families, thanks to a chaotic trade war that Whatley has called “record setting in terms of […] effectiveness”:

• 44% of parents plan to go into debt purchasing school supplies this year – up 10% from 2024.
• School supplies are up 7.3% this year, while some supplies, like index cards, are surging by more than 40%.
• North Carolina teachers are spending more than $1,600 on classroom supplies, ranking second in the nation for out-of-pocket spending.
• Economists warn that North Carolina teachers and parents could face rising back-to-school costs due to tariffs and inflation.

Whaley’s agenda will only further raise costs for working families, making energy bills and health care more expensive and causing the average household in North Carolina to lose money – all to fund tax breaks for billionaires.

“North Carolina families are feeling more pinched than ever as they start back to school amid soaring prices, but DC insider Michael Whatley is only focused on delivering for billionaires and special interests,” said Mallory Payne, senior communications advisor for the North Carolina Democratic Party. “Whatley couldn’t care less about working families in North Carolina, and his agenda will only make it harder for them to get ahead.”

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