March 8, 2010
Click here to read and watch WSB-TV's report on the sale in Georgia of a product that includes a synthetic form of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The product, sold legally as herbal incense, is said to be even stronger and more dangerous than marijuana when smoked.
The WSB-TV report includes comments by Sen. Ed Harbison, who is considering legislation banning the product in Georgia. "I think it's a looming menace and we're going to have to deal with it one way or another," Sen. Harbison said.
February 24, 2010
According to the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), there were 7,254 vehicle crashes in Muscogee County during 2008, a decrease of 15 percent from 2007. The crashes resulted in 2,443 injuries, a 20 percent decrease from 2007, and 23 fatalities, the same number as in 2007.
Five of the fatalities were the result of alcohol- impaired driving, and four of the victims were unrestrained.
In Chattahoochee County during 2008, there were 56 crashes (down 5 percent), 25 injuries (an increase of 4 percent) and one fatality (there were no fatalities in 2007). Alcohol-impaired driving was not a factor in the fatal crash, but the victim was unrestrained.
According to GOHS Director Robert F. Dallas, "Vehicle crashes are the number one cause of years of potential life lost for all Georgians. Vehicle crashes cost Georgia more than $8 billion per year. The simple fact is that both vehicle crash injuries and vehicle crash deaths are preventable. By wearing a safety belt, not driving impaired, obeying the speed limit and having laws which support safe driver behavior, fewer drivers will die or be injured on Georgia's roadways."
More information...
February 23, 2010
According to the Georgia Transit Association, Metra Transit provides 1,116,000 rides per year through Muscogee County. Riders in Senate District 15 primarily use transit for employment trips (45.7 percent), shopping/personal trips (18.8 percent) and nutrition trips (14.7 percent). These services are especially important to the 16,000 disabled and 118,000 elderly riders in our district.
Georgia does not provide dedicated operating assistance for transit services. As a result, most of Georgia's transit systems must rely on a combination of directly generated (farebox receipts, ad sales, etc.) and federal and local funds. Georgia regularly leaves federal funding on the table for failing to raise the required 20 percent match from local and state sources. Of the 10 most populous states, Georgia contributes the least to transit operations.
Transit is truly a statewide issue. We need to create a new revenue source eligible for transit capital and operating expenses, to enable the creation of multi- jurisdictional transit planning, implementation and service provision entities and to ensure adequate transit services are included in the state strategic transportation plan.
More information...
February 22, 2010
This year, the federal government is conducting the 2010 Census. The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States. All U.S. residents must be counted, including both citizens and non-citizens.
The census is important for a number of reasons. It will determine state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts. Census data also guides planning for new hospitals, roads, job training centers, schools and other programs essential to communities.
Your participation is particularly important in this year's census. Georgia is poised to pick up one or two congressional seats, expanding our representation in Congress. It is also vital for residents of Senate District 15 to be counted in the 2010 census. Estimates show that between 2000 and 2008, Chattahoochee County experienced a population loss of 1,237 - the second largest decrease in any of Georgia's 159 counties. Muscogee County grew by 495 residents.
In the 2000 Census, Muscogee Countys response rate was 66 percent, compared to the national response rate of 67 percent and the Georgia response rate of 65 percent. Chattahoochee County's response rate was 61 percent.
You should receive your census questionnaire by mail in March. If you do not receive a questionnaire, you will be able to pick one up from several public sites. Households should complete and mail back questionnaires upon receipt. Households that do not respond may receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census takers will visit homes that do not return questionnaires to take a count in person.
The 2010 questionnaire consists of 10 short questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Households are asked to provide key demographic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; address of the residence; and the names, genders, ages and races of others living in the household. Federal law prohibits the sharing of information from the Census with any other organization or agency, so your information is secure.
I encourage everyone to participate in the 2010 Census. It is critically important and only takes a few minutes.
More information...
On Saturday, Feb. 27, I will join Sen. Seth Harp and Reps. Calvin Smyre, Carolyn Hugley, Debbie Buckner, Richard Smith and Kip Smith for a Town Hall Meeting to discuss and answer your questions on the 2010 legislative session. Join us from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Columbus Public Library at 3000 Macon Road, Columbus, Ga. 31906.
November 16, 2009
State Sen. Ed Harbison (D-Columbus) will participate in a hearing on Georgia's preparedness to deal with pandemic situations Monday at 10:15 a.m. at the State Capitol.
Harbison and other legislators will hear presentations from Dr. Patrick O'Neal, chief of the Emergency Preparedness & Response Division of the Georgia Department of Community Health and from the Georgia Emergency Managment Agency.
Representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also been invited to speak.
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Photos of Sen. Ed Harbison - working for us at the State Capitol. Click on any of the photos to see a larger version.
 "Click to Enlarge") Dr. George Shannon |
 "Click to Enlarge") Enrichment Services Program |
Bishop McGill |
 "Click to Enlarge") With Congressman & Mrs. Sanford Bishop |
 "Click to Enlarge") With U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson |
 "Click to Enlarge") Speaking at Capitol Ceremony |
 "Click to Enlarge") With Country Music Star Travis Tritt |
 "Click to Enlarge") With UGA Bulldog Legend Dan Magill |
 "Click to Enlarge") With Rep. Debbie Buckner, Rep. Carolyn Hugley, Rev. Vincent Allen, Rep. Calvin Smyre and Rep. Richard Smith |
 "Click to Enlarge") With Rev. Michael Battle of ITC |
 "Click to Enlarge") With Zinona Clayton of the Trumpet Awards |
 "Click to Enlarge") With Dusty Rhodes of Professional Wrestling fame |
 "Click to Enlarge") With Dr. William Flippen |
 "Click to Enlarge") News Conference |
 "Click to Enlarge") With Bodybuilding Champion Lee Haney |
 "Click to Enlarge") With UGA Head Football Coach Mark Richt |
 "Click to Enlarge") With Tom Glavine, 300-game winning pitcher of the Atlanta Braves |
 "Click to Enlarge") Asking a question from the Senate floor |
 "Click to Enlarge") With U.S. Rep. Tom Price |
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May 15, 2006
State Sen. Ed Harbison (D-Columbus) has officially qualified as a 2008 candidate for Georgia Senate District 15, which includes part of Muscogee County and all of Chattahoochee County.
Sen. Harbison is currently Chairman of the Senate Interstate Cooperation Committee. He is also secretary of the Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee and serves on the Banking & Financial Institutions, Insurance & Labor and Reapportionment & Redistricting Utilities Committees.
“I look forward to meeting with and talking with the voters of the 15th District during the course of this campaign,” Harbison said. “This is a very important election year in Georgia, and I pledge to continue listen to the views of the people and use my experience and leadership positions to deal effectively with the issues important to the Columbus area and the entire state.”
The Democratic Primary is scheduled for July 15, and the General Election will be held November 4.
District 15
Email: ed.harbison@senate.ga.gov
Senator Ed Harbison — Georgia Senate District 15
Capitol
432 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404.656.0074
Fax: 404.463.5547
P.O. Box 1292
Columbus, GA 31902
Phone: 706.610.7120
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