From toys to turkeys, holiday purchases and their price tags are being shaped by politics.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs and years of persistent inflation are leaving many Americans with sticker shock. Higher prices are hitting not just for big importers, but also at your favorite local shops and restaurants.

Many Americans tell Consumer Reports that they’re “very or extremely” concerned about price increases – with three-quarters of respondents pointing to tariffs as a big reason why.

This hour, we’re exploring the impact of the economy on holiday shopping here in Connecticut.

GUESTS:
Daniel Desrochers, international trade reporter, Politico
Chris Raymond, home and tech editor, Consumer Reports
Daniela Doncel, Latino communities reporter, Connecticut Public

From toys to turkeys, holiday purchases and their price tags are being shaped by politics.
President Donald Trump&rsquo;s tariffs and years of persistent inflation are leaving many Americans with sticker shock. Higher prices are hitting not just for big importers, but also at your favorite local shops and restaurants.
Many Americans tell Consumer Reports that they&rsquo;re &ldquo;very or extremely&rdquo; concerned about price increases &ndash; with three-quarters of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/money/consumer-reports-price-tracker-helps-you-shop-smarter-a3522354573/">respondents</a>&nbsp;pointing to tariffs as a big reason why.
This hour, we&rsquo;re exploring the impact of the economy on holiday shopping here in Connecticut.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.politico.com/staff/daniel-desrochers">Daniel Desrochers</a>, international trade reporter, Politico</li>
<li><a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/about-us/our-people/our-experts/chris-raymond/">Chris Raymond</a>, home and tech editor, Consumer Reports</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/daniela-doncel">Daniela Doncel</a>, Latino communities reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

The Wheelhouse

Tariffs and sticker shock: exploring how politics are hitting your shopping cart

Connecticut lawmakers had a lot to do during the latest special session.

On top of unfinished housing business, lawmakers had only two days to authorize a $500 million dollar relief package to address federal cuts. They also voted on the purchase of a major hospital and worked to curb increased federal law enforcement efforts in Connecticut.

And what about the spectre of rising health insurance premiums in just a few weeks?

Today on The Wheelhouse, the skinny on what state lawmakers were able to accomplish in a special session. We’ll also ask what’s next following the longest federal shutdown in US history.

GUESTS:
Michayla Savitt, state government reporter, Connecticut Public
Lisa Hagen, federal policy reporter, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror
Abby Brone, housing reporter, Connecticut Public
Ginny Monk, children's issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror

Connecticut lawmakers had a lot to do during the latest special session.
On top of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-wheelhouse/2025-07-23/analyzing-ct-lawmakers-political-will-amid-an-affordable-housing-deadlock">unfinished</a>&nbsp;housing business, lawmakers had only two days to authorize a $500 million dollar relief package to address federal cuts. They also voted on the purchase of a major hospital and worked to curb increased federal law enforcement efforts in Connecticut.
And what about the spectre of rising health insurance premiums in just a few weeks?
Today on The Wheelhouse, the skinny on what state lawmakers were able to accomplish in a special session. We&rsquo;ll also ask what&rsquo;s next following the longest federal shutdown in US history.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/michayla-savitt">Michayla Savitt</a>, state government reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/lisa-hagen-1">Lisa Hagen</a>, federal policy reporter, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/abby-brone">Abby Brone</a>, housing reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/gmonk/">Ginny Monk,</a>&nbsp;children's issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror</li>
</ul>

All in 2 days work: CT lawmakers clock in for busy special session

A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist University poll indicated Americans’ displeasure with their government.

It found 62% of Americans surveyed believed the country is heading in the wrong direction, while 79 % say the country is going too far to restrict free speech.

So, what are people doing with their frustrations?

Today on The Wheelhouse, we’re talking with community organizers and researchers who say our voices are stronger than we think.

GUESTS:
Kerry Ellington, Connecticut-based community organizer
Hahrie Han, professor of political science, Johns Hopkins University

A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/10/01/nx-s1-5558304/poll-political-violence-free-speech-vaccines-national-guard-epstein-trump">NPR/PBS News/Marist University</a>&nbsp;poll indicated Americans&rsquo; displeasure with their government.
It found 62% of Americans surveyed believed the country is heading in the wrong direction, while 79 % say the country is going too far to restrict free speech.
So, what are people doing with their frustrations?
Today on The Wheelhouse, we&rsquo;re talking with community organizers and researchers who say our voices are stronger than we think.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-ellington-2b1780237/">Kerry Ellington</a>, Connecticut-based community organizer</li>
<li><a href="https://politicalscience.jhu.edu/directory/hahrie-han/">Hahrie Han</a>, professor of political science, Johns Hopkins University</li>
</ul>

What community engagement offers CT residents at a time when they’re fed up with their government

It’s the morning after Election Day 2025 in Connecticut and we’re breaking down the latest results from municipal races across the state.

How did an election to name a new mayor in New Britain turn out? What races commanded local attention in your community? And what issues – from education to zoning – motivated you to get out to the polls?

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas joins us to break down turnout and assess how voting went across Connecticut.

And in neighboring New York City, a high-profile race for mayor is reshaping the city. What are the local impacts here in Connecticut?

Today on The Wheelhouse, those questions will be tackled as our reporters analyze the 2025 election.

GUESTS:
Mark Pazniokas, capitol bureau chief and a co-founder, CT Mirror
Susan Raff, chief political reporter, WFSB News Ch. 3
Stephanie Thomas,Secretary of the State, State of Connecticut

It&rsquo;s the morning after Election Day 2025 in Connecticut and we&rsquo;re breaking down the latest results from municipal races across the state.
How did an election to name a new mayor in New Britain turn out? What races commanded local attention in your community? And what issues &ndash; from education to zoning &ndash; motivated you to get out to the polls?
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas joins us to break down turnout and assess how voting went across Connecticut.
And in neighboring New York City, a high-profile race for mayor is reshaping the city. What are the local impacts here in Connecticut?
Today on The Wheelhouse, those questions will be tackled as our reporters analyze the 2025 election.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/mpazniokas/">Mark Pazniokas</a>, capitol bureau chief and a co-founder, CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">Susan Raff</a>, chief political reporter, WFSB News Ch. 3</li>
<li><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/sots/capitol/about-stephanie-thomas/the-biography-of-stephanie-thomas">Stephanie Thomas</a>, Secretary of the State, State of Connecticut</li>
</ul>

Tariffs and sticker shock: exploring how politics are hitting your shopping cart

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