Lincoln U-Stop lowers gas prices to $2.38 a gallon to highlight inflation

LINCOLN, Neb (KLKN) – The Nebraska chapter of Americans for Prosperity partnered with U-Stop on Monday morning to offer gas at a discount.

The price of unleaded gas dropped to $2.38 a gallon for the first 200 customers at the U-Stop near Pine Lake Road and Nebraska Highway 2.

The conservative group says that was the average price of gas on the day President Joe Biden took office. The average price of gas in Lancaster County on Monday was $3.70.

The organization has held similar events in Nebraska and other states “to highlight the true cost of Washington’s bad policies.”

This is the fourth gas event it has put on in the state, and there will be another in Wayne on Tuesday.

Jessica Shelburn, director of the Nebraska chapter, said U-Stop artificially lowered prices for the event and AFP will cover the cost “to make them whole.”

Shelburn said the point of these events is to bring to light the pain people are feeling at the pump, as well as when they buy groceries and other necessities.

“We just want to connect with folks, let them know that they’re not the only ones hurting, that somebody does care,” she said. “And that’s why we’re trying to ease that burden, just for a little bit, and bring people together.”

Rep. Mike Flood and State Sens. Rob Clements, Suzanne Geist and Julie Slama were at the event, sharing their thoughts on inflation and energy sources in America.

Geist, of Lincoln, said it’s nice for senators to go out and talk with their constituents to find out the things that can make a difference in their lives.

“I love meeting people, I love being out in my district, and I love looking for opportunities that I can listen to their stories,” she said.

The senators said best way to help with gas prices is to support energy independence and build pipelines.

Slama, who represents part of southeast Nebraska, said the event was done to “really drive home how the reckless spending that is done in Washington can impact [Americans’] pocketbooks.”

She said that the response to the event was very positive and that it was for anyone who supports responsible spending and economic growth in America.

“I’ve been waiting to fill up my car for this event; it’s on fumes,” Slama said. “This is saving me, like, $20 that I can spend on food, that I can spend on whatever I want. It’s freeing up money out of my monthly budget.”

The senators and Flood also said switching to alternative fuels and electric vehicles would be too expensive for the average American.

Flood said he’s not against renewable energy, “but we cannot solely go just to electric cars; Nebraskans can’t afford them.”

He said he and other representatives have to “first and foremost focus on making sure that Nebraska families have enough money to live and enjoy the quality life that they’re used to.”

Channel 8 reached out to the Nebraska Democratic Party, but Chair Jane Kleeb was out of state and unable to comment.