— Two dozen GOP lawmakers have signed a letter to President Donald Trump asking whether he believes legislation to give incumbent utilities first crack at building new transmission lines is consistent with his executive order “to unleash American energy.” The letter, spearheaded by state Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, seeks the president’s advice, noting a potential vote on the legislation could come within a few weeks. It expresses concerns about the rise of right of first refusal legislation in the Midwest, adding the push by utilities to advocate for such “protectionist measures is alarming.” “This legislation not only undermines principles of competition but also appears contradictory to the American First agenda your administration has begun to implement,” the letter states. The letter comes as cosponsors recently reintroduced the legislation dubbed “ROFR.” It would give utilities already doing business in Wisconsin the right of first refusal to construct, own and maintain a new transmission line that connects to one of their existing ones. The letter is signed by 19 GOP members of the Assembly and five from the state Senate. Republicans have majorities of 54-45 in the Assembly and 18-15 in the Senate. If all signers opposed the bill during a floor vote, backers would need Dem support to pass the legislation. The ROFR bill cleared the Assembly last session on a voice vote, but didn’t come to the floor in the Senate. The fight over the legislation is gearing up again in the Capitol with Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, telling WisPolitics in December he wanted to clear the bill by this spring. The letter says the legislation “stands in stark opposition to numerous executive orders issued by you and your administration, which emphasized the critical importance of protecting and enhancing competition to foster innovation and reduce costs.” The letter poses five questions to Trump. Along with asking whether the legislation is consistent his policies, the questions include: Does your administration have a position on the constitutionality of these ROFR laws? Does your administration expect the projects approved under MISO will continue as scheduled? Will states continue to be forced to pay for a portion of projects in other states, specifically states which eliminated competition by passing ROFR, through the use of MISO tariffs? Will the White House intervene to put a stop to the ROFR legislation in the Midwest? The lawmakers asked for a response from the Trump administration as soon as possible. “Your response to these questions will allow us to make a more informed decision with respect to the pending ROFR legislation,” the letter concludes. — Sporting goods retailer Scheels has announced plans for a new store in Wauwatosa that will employ more than 500 people. The North Dakota-based company on Friday said it will add another large store in Wisconsin in early 2027, in addition to its existing locations in Appleton and Eau Claire. The 210,000-square-foot store — nearly double the size of its other stores in the state — will be located at Mayfair mall following a “full renovation” of an empty space at the shopping center. “After the success we’ve seen in Appleton and Eau Claire, Wauwatosa is the perfect fit for our next location,” Scheels CEO Matt Hanson said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the city of Wauwatosa and Brookfield Properties throughout the building process, becoming new partners in the Milwaukee community for years to come.” Once the Wauwatosa store opens, Scheels will have 36 locations across the country with more than 13,000 employees. See the release. — UW Health is opening a new family medicine clinic in Janesville on Tuesday after repurposing the space from a commercial office. The health system on Friday announced the new 9,900-square-foot clinic, which will be staffed by one doctor and two advanced practice care providers as well as nursing and laboratory workers. The facility will provide adult and pediatric primary care services, immunizations, physicals, medical imaging and more. Alicia Rizzo, director of ambulatory operations for UW Health, notes the opening comes as the region is seeing higher demand for quality health care. “This new clinic strengthens our commitment to delivering remarkable care to our communities,” she said in the release. “This convenient location and enhanced care coordination ensures that patients have access to the highest quality care.” See more details in the release. For more of the most relevant health care news, reports on groundbreaking research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics and WisBusiness.com. Sign up here. — The Wisconsin Technology Council is taking applications through Thursday from companies looking to meet with major firms at this year’s Wisconsin Tech Summit. The event, taking place March 17 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, will feature at least 15 leading firms that will be available to meet with emerging businesses in the state. These include Kimberly-Clark, Mayo Clinic, Oshkosh Corp., Promega, Rockwell Automation, gener8tor and others. “There are many reasons why major firms would want to meet with emerging companies, and vice versa,” Tech Council Chairman Gary Frings said in a statement. “This is a way to enhance company-to-company connections in Wisconsin and beyond, with benefits to small businesses and major firms alike.” This will be the 12th annual Wisconsin Tech Summit hosted by the Wisconsin Technology Council, according to the release. Along with informative seminars, the event will feature a keynote address by Derek Hyde, vice president of IT for the Milwaukee Brewers. See the release and find more event information. Madison’s Sierra Space is figuring out how to grow veggies at zero-g Husco shelves possible Mexico plant, slows EV components line TOPICS ADVERTISING – Snap-on named title sponsor for IndyCar weekend at Milwaukee Mile under multiyear deal AGRIBUSINESS – Boost farm efficiency with drones – Ken Rosenow honored for 40 years with U.S. Grains Council EDUCATION – Trump administration cuts funding for UW-Madison teacher training program at MPS – UW-Madison ranks 12th for a grad program that doesn’t yet exist ENTERTAINMENT & THE ARTS – In Two Crows Theatre’s ‘A Number,’ a father tries to start over HEALTH CARE – Improvements to hearing aid tech, access has led to better and cheaper options LEGAL – Lawsuit alleges Minocqua Brewing Company owner uses super PAC donations for personal expenses – Liberal Wisconsin brewery owner embroiled in another legal fight with local publisher – Supplier sues Modine for more than $12 million following purchase agreement dispute NONPROFIT – Make-A-Wish Wisconsin names new CEO REAL ESTATE – At the southwest corner of Oak Creek, will Buc-ee’s bring a surge in development? RETAIL – Destination retailer Scheels to move into former Boston Store space at Mayfair TECHNOLOGY – Beaver Dam joins Wisconsin sites proposed to host data center campus TRANSPORTATION – Thursday’s Madison Metro bus disruptions came after many drivers declined overtime, city says PRESS RELEASES See these and other press releases Milwaukee Public Schools: Greenfield Bilingual School addition ribbon cutting is Monday, February 24 Uline: Honored on Forbes List of America’s Best Large Employers for third consecutive year
