Tammy Baldwin

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - Senator Tammy Baldwin kicked off her “Ending Chaos, Lowering Costs” tour in downtown La Crosse, visiting several local businesses to discuss rising expenses and the critical role small businesses play in the community.

Senator Baldwin met with local business owners, ranging from coffee shops to hardware stores, to speak with owners about rising costs and the overall importance of small businesses.

“If I had to drive a long distance just to get the supplies I need, I would probably just give up those hobbies,” Baldwin said during her tour of a local shop. “The idea that there are people you know, who know what you need and are right here—this is a labor of love.”

Baldwin explained she launched the tour to highlight rising costs, which she attributed to policy initiatives driven by President Donald Trump, including tariffs and the war in Iran.

“You think about stopping at a coffee shop—we do not produce a ton of coffee domestically in the U.S., so you have to import it,” Baldwin said. “The tariffs there and the logistics costs of actually moving those products have changed dramatically.”

Amy Dummer, owner of Kroner’s Hardware, says small businesses are important to communities because they reinvest to their areas over and over again.

“We spend our money right with our neighbors, and I make it a point to shop at as many local places as possible,” Dummer said. “It just keeps reinvesting money in our local communities. It’s really important for our politicians to support small businesses and see what we’re doing, where we’re at, and what’s going on.”

Baldwin added that that the war in Iran and tariffs have major impacts on small businesses across the state.

“Anyone who relies on inputs from overseas, or anyone who relies on transit through the Strait of Hormuz is affected,” Baldwin said. “Republicans have, by and large, rubber-stamped everything Donald Trump has done.”

According to Senator Baldwin’s office, 63% of small businesses reported decreased profit margins this year.

In response to trade concerns, the White House released a statement regarding recent tariffs on Canada, stating:

“Canada tore up an incredibly generous and fair trade deal with the Trump administration to instead demand unrestricted access to the American economy while boxing American exports out of its market. President Trump will never waver from putting Americans and America first.”