This is sad news:

Veteran Fayette County state Rep. Dan Lakly died this morning of a massive heart attack, state officials said.

Lakly, 65, a Peachtree City Republican, was chairman of the House Information and Audits Committee. He was known as a fiscal conservative who frequently questioned state spending practices. He was also willing to be on the losing side of one-sided votes, such as in 2005 when he opposed popular legislation outlawing smoking in most enclosed work sites and public places. He compared the banning to Nazi Germany.

Lakly, a Yugoslavian immigrant's son, served on the Peachtree City council in the 1980s, then from 1989 to 1992 on the Fayette County Board of Commissioners.

He was elected to a seat in the General Assembly in 1992 when Republicans were a minority in the House. He was beaten in the Republican primary in 1998 by Kathy Cox, now the state's school superintendent, when he sought re-election that year. Six years later he made a comeback, winning a Fayette County seat in the House just in time for his GOP to take over the chamber.

Legislative staffers said he apparently fell and hurt his wrist over the weekend and had surgery. They said he was expected to be released from the hospital this morning.

Keep Rep. Lakly's family in your thoughts and prayers.

[UPDATE] I got this from William Woodall this morning:

I have had the good fortune of getting to know Dan and consider him a friend. His wit and concern for true conservative principles will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family. Thanks Dan for all your hard work and concern for the people of Georgia.