Gov. Nathan Deal on Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Chip Rogers, and Health Care Fight

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Credit Denis O'Hayer/WABE News

Governor Nathan Deal (R-GA) and first lady Sandra Deal pose for pictures with children after lighting the State Capitol Christmas tree on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

After Governor Nathan Deal and first lady Sandra Deal lit the State Capitol Christmas tree on Wednesday, Dec. 5, the Governor paused for a moment to take a few questions.

WABE's Denis O'Hayer asked the Governor about his appointment of outgoing State Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) to a senior position at Georgia Public Broadcasting.  (WABE and Public Broadcasting Atlanta are not affiliated with Georgia Public Broadcasting.)

After that, the Governor took questions on carbon monoxide detectors, following this week's leak at Atlanta's Finch Elementary School.  More than 40 students and staff members were treated at hospitals.  During this part of the interview, Denis was joined by a former colleague, WXIA-TV's Paul Crawley.  His is the third voice you will hear.

Finally, Denis asked the Governor a couple of questions on the fight over the new Federal health care law, and the debate in Georgia over continuing a fee paid by hospitals which helps pay for care for the poor and elderly.  Although Governor Deal has called on hospitals and advocates on all sides to come together, he declined to get into the debate himself.