Round Up: Farmers and Schools Hurt by Skyrocketing Gas Prices Thanks to Tiffany’s Costly Agenda
MADISON, Wis. — Fuel prices in Wisconsin continue to rise and diesel prices have reached a new record high this week as a result of GOP candidate for governor Tom Tiffany’s rubber stamp of the illegal war in Iran. In late April, farmers saw a devastating spike in fertilizer costs as a major nitrogen-based fertilizer shot up to nearly $700 per ton. Meanwhile, school districts are spending tens of thousands more on fuel for buses, cutting into already-strained budgets and reducing spending on educational opportunities. This adds to the pain farmers have already felt from Trump and Tiffany’s tariff taxes, which led to a 700% increase in farming bankruptcies in Wisconsin in 2025.
WBAY: Wisconsin sets new record for average price on diesel
- The highest price for a gallon of diesel fuel was set Monday, surpassing the previous record set in June 2022. According to AAA Wisconsin, the average price for a gallon of diesel is $5.66. One year ago, the price for diesel was $3.20.
- The previous record was set June 25, 2022, when diesel hit an average price in Wisconsin of $5.52. Local diesel price records were set Monday in Appleton ($5.77), Fond du Lac ($5.56), Green Bay ($5.84), Oshkosh ($5.76) and Sheboygan ($5.76). Prices are rounded to the nearest cent.
WPR: Steep fertilizer and fuel prices could squeeze US farmers for months to come, economists warn
- The Strait of Hormuz remains virtually closed due to the war in Iran. That’s driven up the prices of key agricultural necessities, which could remain high into next year […] The price of key agricultural necessities such as diesel and nitrogen fertilizer has soared since the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade passageway, has largely been choked off amid the war in Iran.
- The price of urea, a major nitrogen-based fertilizer, shot up to nearly $700 per ton in late April from $455 per ton on Feb. 27, the day before the war in Iran broke out. On-highway diesel prices clocked around $5.35 a gallon in late April, a hike from the $3.81 a gallon reported the week the war began.
- A recent survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation found that about 70 percent of farmers nationwide who responded report they are unable to afford all the fertilizer they need.
WPR: Rising fuel costs slamming already cash-strapped Wisconsin school districts
- Gasoline and diesel costs thousands more than what schools budgeted for.
- In February, fuel cost Racine Unified $56,840. In March, that cost jumped to $96,991.
- Average overall fuel prices for the Madison district rose from $3.13 per gallon in February to $5.27 in March, a roughly 68 percent increase, which drove a 44 percent increase in total fuel cost, Folger said. “That translated to an increase of several thousand dollars in March, despite lower usage,” Folger said.
- Gilman School District Superintendent Wally Leipart said the increase in fuel costs could almost pay for a new classroom teacher. […] “We’re paying about $33,000 more than we contracted,” Leipart said. “That is about 70 percent of a starting teacher’s salary.” Leipart said spending an additional $33,000 beyond the budget means fewer classroom supplies, possible changes to the summer school program and possibly cutting field trips.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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