5 things we learned under the Gold Dome today: gambling updates

A busy Thursday under the Gold Dome started on a somber note as news broke that veteran state lawmaker Rep. Bob Bryant, D-Garden City, died earlier this morning.

“Our hearts are hurting today because we have lost one of our best,” House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, said in a statement.

Here are 4 things that happened at the Georgia Capitol today that you should know:

1. The slot-like gambling machines that populate gas stations and laundromats across Georgia only recently came under state control. [Today, the Senate tried to tighten how they're controlled.]

2. Georgia could see up to four casino resorts under legislation approved by a state House committee on Thursday. [The vote is important as it means the bills could still reach the House floor before Monday's Crossover Day.]

3. Georgia taxpayers could soon receive tax credits for contributions they make to nonprofit organizations that provide health care to rural Georgians. [This bill would create a pool $100 million a year for tax credits.]

4. A student data protection bill got bottled up in a legislative committee after a state education official testified that its requirements were onerous. ["This bill just requires that they tell us what they're doing."]

5. A Senate panel narrowly passed a bill to create special Georgia driver's licenses and ID cards clearly identifying immigrants without legal status. [A move critics say would amount to a "scarlet letter."]

Also worth noting: it's an election year, so tax-cut proposals advance in Georgia. [But will these proposals actually pass?]

Now that you're all caught up, see what's coming up tomorrow at the Georgia Legislature. It's the final session day before Crossover Day on Monday, so it's sure to be an action-packed Friday under the Gold Dome.