Gov. Nathan Deal Talks Gay Marriage, Transportation And More

In a wide-ranging interview with Denis O’Hayer on “A Closer Look,” Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said the state would implement any decision the U.S. Supreme Court reaches on gay marriage – even if the court throws out same-sex marriage bans like the one in the Georgia Constitution.

The governor also defended his Opportunity School District plan, under which the state would take control of up to 20 failing schools per year.  SB 133 outlines how the plan would operate; SR 287 is the constitutional amendment that would give it legal effect – if voters approve the plan.

Other parts of the conversation covered transportation funding; the measure which shifted the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to the Agriculture Department – it had been an independent agency before this change; and training for law enforcement officers when they confront mentally ill suspects.