Daily Digest: GOP state senator recovering

Good morning, and happy Thursday. Here's the Digest.

1. State Sen. Warren Limmer was back at work at the Capitol Wednesday after suffering what he termed “a minor heart attack.” The 62-year-old Republican from Maple Grove said he experienced tightness in chest Monday and was hospitalized to receive two stents. He was released the next day. Republicans hold a narrow 34-33 majority in the Minnesota Senate. Limmer said he’s feeling fine, but plans to make some changes in his lifestyle. (MPR News)

2. The state Senate passed a bill that provides $600 million to help health insurers who face big pay outs for claims in the individual market. Republican backers of the bill say it will help stabilize the market. Many Democrats argued that it's a big bet without any guarantees that insurance will be more available or affordable. A DFL amendment that would let people buy into the MinnesotaCare program failed on a tie vote, and one Democrat was absent. The measure now will be the subject of negotiations among the Senate, House and governor. (MPR News)

3. The Minnesota House will debate legislation Thursday that could give local school leaders more control over which teachers get cut when budgets are tight or when student enrollment drops. The legislation sponsored by Rep. Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie, aims to limit the role seniority plays when layoffs occur. Republicans have long wanted school leaders to consider other factors when making staffing decisions, but those efforts have largely been blocked by Democrats. (Pioneer Press)

4. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he plans to do what he can to roll back what he views as unnecessary and restrictive regulations that are holding automakers back from creating jobs for Americans. Trump, speaking before hundreds of autoworkers in Ypsilanti,  also talked about his efforts to  renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. "Buy American and hire American. It's not just a motto, it’s a pledge," Trump said. "The era of economic surrender for the United States is over." The speech was a signal a signal that tougher fuel-economy standards and greenhouse gas emission rules slated to go into effect between 2021 and 2025 might be relaxed. (Detroit Free Press)

5. A federal judge in Hawaii issued a nationwide temporary restraining order Wednesday preventing President Trump's revised travel ban from taking effect. Trump's executive order would have temporarily halted the U.S. refugee program and travel from six Muslim-majority countries. Trump, speaking at a rally in Nashville, called the restraining order "unprecedented judicial overreach." He said, "The law and the Constitution give the president the power to suspend immigration — when he deems — or she, fortunately it will not be Hillary, 'she' — when he or she deems it to be in the national interests of our country." (NPR)

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