Gov. Deal names floor leaders

ATLANTA - According to the State of Georgia website, Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday named Rick Jeffares, a Republican from Locust Grove, and Charlie Bethel of Dalton, also a Republican, as 2014 State Senate floor leaders.

Jeffares and Bethel will join Republican Senator Bill Jackson of Appling as liaisons between Deal and the state Senate.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return on Jan. 14.