Latest news with #GeorgiaStateHouse
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers and friends react to Ben Harbin's death
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- Ben harbin, who represented the CSRA in the Georgia State House for more than 20 years, has died. According to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen, Harbin was found dead Wednesday night at the Fairfield Inn on Washington Road. Harbin represented District 122 in the Georgia State House from 1994 until 2015. Current local and state lawmakers are reacting to the news. 'I received a text from a mutual friend who said that Ben had passed away and I was just frankly shocked. I believe he was ill, but I didn't have details on what his illness was,' said Chairman Doug Duncan, Columbia County Board of Commissioners. In 2015, Harbin resigned from Georgia State government to become a lobbyist. Duncan was a longtime friend of Harbin's, meeting him in the 80's. He said Harbin was passionate about his job. Coroner investigating death of former Georgia State Representative Ben Harbin 'Ben wanted to make a difference. And that's…why does anybody get into politics? Well, at first you start engaging issues and then you realize you have to have a seat at the table.' Leaders across Georgia took to social media to express their sorrow at the news of Harbin's death. Governor Brian Kemp saying: 'Our entire family is mourning the passing of former representative and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Ben Harbin. A dedicated public servant, he helped to balance our state budgets and maintain our AAA bond rating during the most difficult financial time in modern history- the Great Recession. We are praying for his family and loved ones in the days and weeks ahead during this time of grieving.' Columbia County Commissioner Trey Allen saying: 'I'm simply heartbroken. Ben Harbin was a loving father, a dedicated public servant and most of all, to a lucky few, a fearless friend. Our world is simply diminished for his loss. Prayers and blessings to those who loved him and the countless whose days will be less bright in the absence of his smile and presence.' Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger also releasing a statement saying in part: 'Ben's contributions will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him, and our prayers are with his family at this time.' Duncan told NewsChannel 6 that Harbin was a good man and a good friend and will be missed. 'Ben was fun. He was super guy. I go back– he was a people person. So very pleasing, fun to be around. And some personalities gel, some don't. Ours did. We got along really well.' Georgia Superior Court Justice, Barry Fleming was a friend and colleague of Harbin's for around 30 years. He said he was shocked and saddened to hear the news of Harbin's passing and that he will remember him fondly. 'He was a great guy. I mean, he's kind of one of those people that you would like to hang around with. He was fun, gregarious, always had a smile on his face. Professionally, he was very dedicated to his work as a state representative,' Fleming said. Coroner Bowen said Harbin's death appears to be of natural causes and is still under investigation. He was 61-years-old. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers reintroduce bills to protect Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge from mining
Members of the Georgia State House have once again introduced bills to protect the Okefenokee Swamp from mining threats. The Okefenokee was named a National Wildlife Refuge in 1937, and provides habitat for many threatened and endangered species, such as red-cockaded woodpeckers, wood storks, and indigo snakes. The swamp has been the subject of renewed conservation efforts after an Alabama-based company called Twin Pines Minerals, LLC announced plans for a mine. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Along the eastern rim of the swamp runs a line of ancient sand dunes called Trail Ridge. The sand is rich in minerals -- notably titanium dioxide. Twin Pines wants to mine it for use as a whitening agent for things like sunscreen, toothpaste and paint. The first 2025 bill, called the Okefenokee Protection Act (House Bill 561), would prohibit the state from permitting or renewing any surface mining operations at Trail Ridge. A second bill, HB 562, would place a five-year moratorium on mining along Trail Ridge. Both bills would still allow mining on Twin Pines Minerals, LLC's 'demonstration' area, which is awaiting final permit approval. The Georgia River Network says this temporary ban on areas of the swamp would allow state regulators and researchers time to evaluate how the Twin pines 'demonstration mine' impacts water levels in the swamp. A similar three-year moratorium passed in the House last year, but never went for a vote in the Senate. 'Both of these bills provide the opportunity for all the legislators and leadership to respond to their constituents to save the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from mining that would harm the swamp and swamp tourism upon which the economies of the local communities depend,' said Rena Ann Peck, executive director of Georgia Rivers. 'Here is another opportunity for the Georgia General Assembly and Governor Kemp to make real what Georgians want to see - the wild heart of Georgia - our Okefenokee Swamp and its Trail Ridge protected forever from mining - and get it done right this session.' RELATED STORIES Could titanium dioxide mining impact the Okefenokee Swamp? Here's what we've learned Georgia senator backs federal expansion of Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge US Department of Interior to nominate Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp as UNESCO World Heritage Site Some Charlton County leaders, including Commissioner Drew Jones, have advocated in favor of increased mining. He argued the mine will help the local economy by adding new jobs and products out of the county. 'We live by the mine, if it's going to affect someone's water, it's going to be mine, if there's going to be a wildfire, it's going to affect us,' said Jones last year. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is opposed to the Twin Pines mine. Last month, it made a final decision to further expand the Refuge's boundary by approximately 22,000 acres. FWS says the new lands will allow them to offer more public uses like hunting, fishing, wildlife watching and education programs to drive ecotourism in the community. The refuge welcomes more than 400,000 visitors each year. The Department of the Interior announced last year it is nominating the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to join the UNESCO World Heritage List, among attractions like the Grand Canyon, the Taj Mahal, and the Galapagos Islands. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
