Information compiled from Abrams’ social media accounts and various news outlets cross-referenced to Abrams’ per diem account schedule indicates that Abrams, on numerous occasions, collected state reimbursements for activities on days without state business. The comparison encompasses the six years she was Minority Leader.
While Abrams served as Minority Leader, it was expected that she would be among the top recipients of per diem days, as reported by the AJC in September, but in question is whether or not those per diem days were related to her official capacity for the State of Georgia. The September article said Abrams “began collecting daily payments from the state at almost twice the rate of her predecessor” once she became Minority Leader.
But some of the events attended while collecting per diem reimbursements include Democratic Party events, Hillary Clinton speeches, and so-called “Resistance” events in 2017, which would not qualify as state business and total more than $11,500 in reimbursements.
What are per diem days?
House and Senate members can file for per diem, otherwise known as daily expenses, when they conduct state business outside of the 40 legislative days and the legislative session. The only requirement is that it must be official state business, like a legislative committee meeting, community gatherings, or constituent services.
Lawmakers are awarded $173 per day, plus mileage reimbursements. It all operates largely on the honor system with very little oversight that has arguably been abused by both parties over the years. Lawmakers reportedly aren’t required to submit receipts or log miles.
The per diem days are specifically for “Official Business” related to the state of Georgia and are not to include political events or personal soirees.
So what about Abrams per diem collections?
Abrams was always among the top pier diem recipients and the #1 collector in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
| YEAR |
DAYS COLLECTED OUTSIDE OF SESSION |
| 2011 |
155 |
| 2012 |
144 |
| 2013 |
141 |
| 2014 |
54 |
| 2015 |
80 |
| 2016 |
72 |
*Information from the AJC as reported in September 2018
So what did Abrams collect the per diem days for? Abrams frequently traveled around the state and country to give speeches at events that were political in nature and collected per diem anyway. Highlights from the full list, which is at the bottom of the article, include:
In 2012, Abrams filed for per diem for a Planned Parenthood event, an Obama reception, a trip to the Wilkinson Democrat Party of Georgia, two fundraisers for herself, delivery of Meals on Wheels, and a wreath ceremony, among other things. A total of 14 questionable per diem days totaling $2,422.
In 2013, questionable per diem days include galas, breakfasts with advocacy groups, and promotion of the Affordable Care Act, among other things. 17 days are in question for a total of $2,941.
In 2014, questionable events included an Atlanta Dream game, addressing the progressive women’s group ‘Emily’s List,’ speaking engagements with lobbying and advocacy organizations, and tours of the Port that were used politically. 10 days are in question, for a total of $1,730.
In 2015, there is only one per diem day in question. The per diem would be $173 plus any mileage.
In 2016, Abrams collected per diem days for trips to San Francisco to visit PACS, attend lobbying dinners in Savannah, hit the campaign trail with other Democrats, listened to Hillary Clinton speak at Planned Parenthood in D.C., speeches she gave at Yale, and appeared on CNBC, among other things. A total of 14 questionable per diem days totaling $2,422.
In 2017, Abrams took per diem days to attend at least three Resist! town halls, speak at a rally on health care, claim an honorary doctorate degree, speak at a commencement ceremony and the Atlanta Rotary Club,
The following days were dates for which Abrams collected per diem reimbursements for “official state of Georgia business” but appear to have more political leanings that official business. 11 days raise questions, for a total of $1,903.
The grand total comes to $11,591 in per diem days in question.
In the September AJC article referenced earlier, Abrams spokeswoman Priyanka Mantha said that Abrams “kept a busy schedule as minority leader.” She resigned from her position in the Georgia House on August 25, 2017 to run for Governor.
What does Abrams say about it now?
AllOnGeorgia reached out to the Abrams campaign, seeking comment and the public release of her calendars given the most recent information. Abrams spokesperson Priyanka Mantha focused on Kemp, saying:
“”In the aftermath of Stacey Abrams clear debate victory, Brian Kemp and allies in the right wing media are attempting to smear Stacey Abrams to distract from his reckless agenda that puts Georgia businesses and families at risk. While Kemp campaigns on the taxpayer’s dime, Abrams continues to earn support from Georgians with her plans for job creation, Medicaid expansion, and improving public education.”
Abrams’ opponents, Republican Brian Kemp and Libertarian Ted Metz, both offered commentary of the alleged abuse of the system.
Kemp Press Secretary Cody Hall said in a statement:
“Stacey Abrams used her experience as a tax lawyer to create a web of secret non-profits that paid her over $300,000 for part-time work. It’s no surprise that she also used her position as Minority Leader to cheat Georgia taxpayers. Abrams should be investigated immediately.” – Cody Hall, Press Secretary
Metz said, “Abrams’ abuse of office illustrates the lack of oversight and punishment for ethics violations that are pervasive in politics (as a whole, not just in Georgia). Casey Cagle was never held to account for the $250,000 in private flights charged to the taxpayers while hocking his book. Brian Kemp using his Hurricane Michael disaster tour as a campaign opportunity while receiving his salary is another example of questionable ethics. If anyone took the time to investigate, they’d find plenty of dirty laundry across the spectrum of government to the smallest city level.”
Democrats recently held a press conference to discuss Kemp’s private calendar, and released it to the public, but have not made Abrams’ calendars publicly available for review.
You can see the information, with supporting social media posts and other information, below.
In many of the instances where an event was noted social media, a #gapol (representing “Georgia Politics) or a #gadem (representing Georgia Democrat) hashtag were used, indicating a political nature. Hyperlinked words indicate supporting evidence of the event’s occurrence.
2012
| Date |
Event |
Details |
| Apr 18, 2012 |
Abrams addressed the Grand Rounds at Emory University |
The legislature had adjourned and the bill Abrams claimed to be fighting had already passed.
Emory is not in her district |
| April 27, 2012 |
Served as official greeter to Obama at Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia |
#gapol and #gadem indicating she believed it to be a political event. |
| May 15, 2012 |
Fundraiser for Abrams at the Commerce Club indicated by email blast |
Also promoted on Twitter |
| May 18, 2012 |
Wreath ceremony for Lt. Westmoreland |
Commemorated the event on social media with the hashtags #gapol and #gadem |
| May 24, 2012 |
Planned Parenthood event honoring Kay Scott |
Honoring Kay Scott – the former CEO of Planned Parenthood |
| June 2, 2012 |
Visited with Wilkinson County Democrats |
|
| June 21, 2012 |
USA India Business Summit Banquet and Awards dinner. |
Used #GaDem hashtag |
| June 27, 2012 |
Abrams attended the @rightsctr groundbreaking with Andrew Young and mayor Franklin. |
|
| June 27, 2012 |
Spoke at the graduation of Year Up |
|
| August 21, 2012 |
Fundraiser for Abrams and Georgia Next |
At home of Dana Halberg & Larry Pless |
| October 3, 2012 |
- Student debate at Lowery Institute
- Attended attended an AFL-CIO debate watch party
|
|
| October 6, 2012 |
Georgia National Fair in Perry |
|
| November 10, 2012 |
GA Hispanic Construction Association Annual Awards Dinner |
|
| November 27, 2012 |
Delivered Meals on Wheels |
|
2013
| Date |
Event |
Details |
| April 5, 2013 |
Gala with Mayor Shirley Franklin & Rep. Sewell |
|
| May 8, 2013 |
Speaker at dinner for “transportation ministers, ambassadors, and consuls learning from HJIA” |
HJIA stands for Hartsfield Jackson International Airport |
| May 22, 2013 |
Fundraiser hosted by legal community |
Twitter promo |
| June 21, 2013 |
Day with Georgia Asian American Commissions |
Tweet |
| July 5, 2013 |
Addressed the NEA state delegation |
Tweets from the day highlighted a political tone |
| August 15, 2013 |
Speaker at Teamsters National Black Caucus meeting |
|
| September 10, 2013 |
Visited Emory Law to speak with BLSA members for annual lecture series |
|
| September 19, 2013 |
Asian American Peace Officers of Georgia |
|
| September 28, 2013 |
Urban League Young Professionals & Newton County NAACP |
Tweet 2 |
| September 30, 2013 |
Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute |
|
| October 1, 2013 |
Advocating for health care exchanges |
|
| October 16, 2013 |
Spoke at AFL CIO convention in Savannah |
|
| October 18, 2013 |
Acceptance of Legislator of the Year Award from Georgia Women |
|
| October 24, 2013 |
Interviewing to media to discuss Affordable Care Act |
|
| October 28, 2013 |
Affordable Care Act Townhall at a church |
(NOTE: She tweeted that on Oct 27, 2013 she would be holding a townhall re: ACA but did not claim this day as a per diem. (https://twitter.com/staceyabrams/status/394229486000304128)) |
| November 18, 2013 |
Affordable Care Act work in Thomasville |
|
| November 22, 2013 |
Tweeted “Home from a great visit to White County to discuss 2014 elections, #ACA & becoming better agitators.” |
|
2014 — Abrams began running the “New Georgia Project” as part of her Third Sector Development foundation
| March 27, 2014 |
Latin American Chamber of Commerce Breakfast |
|
| May 23, 2014 |
Attended the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) conference that year was held in Atlanta |
Spoke on Twitter discussing the importance of electing democrats & pushing Medicaid expansion |
| July 1, 2014 |
Atlanta Dream game with Kathy Betty |
|
| July 10, 2014 |
Spoke at Emily’s List / Essence Debates luncheon event |
Emily’s List is a progressive advocacy organization that pushes women’s health care, equal pay, and paid leave. |
| July 17, 2014 |
Speaker at Netroots Nation Conference in Detroit |
|
| August 7, 2014 |
Toured the Port of Savannah |
But tweets tagged #DemsInSavannah indicating she considered it to be a partisan event. |
| August 8, 2014 |
Noted visiting Savannah State University with @GABudget @AFLCIOGeorgia @Georgiaeducator |
With the hashtags #DemsInSavannah |
| September 4, 2014 |
Hinesville, Liberty County to speak to the Community of Inspired Women |
Facebook group: “We’re excited to host novelist Selena Montgomery tonight. She will inspire us with her talk on balancing her careers as a novelist, lawyer and Georgia Representative Stacey Abrams.” |
| September 8, 2014 |
Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute speaker |
|
| October 24, 2014 |
GALEO Institute for Leadership 2014 series of classes |
|
2015
| August 27, 2015 |
GALEO event speaker |
GALEO & American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS for another Charlar and Challah Series: Community Issues in Justice |
2016
| April 14, 2016 |
Abrams was campaigning in Augusta with Rep. Earnest Smith and Rep. Gloria Frazier |
|
| May 3, 2016 |
Attended GA WIN List event in Savannah. |
|
| May 18, 2016 |
In San Francisco, Steve Phillips of PowerPAC at 6:30p at the Commonwealth Club. |
|
| June 1, 2016 |
Girls Who Code event in Atlanta. |
|
| June 3, 2016 |
Attended a fundraiser for the GA Dem Party at Venkman’s in Atlanta. |
|
| June 8, 2016 |
Meet and greet with the Glynn County Democrats on St. Simons Island from 5-6:30p |
On the Glynn County Dem FB page is a photo of Abrams at the event on June 8. |
| June 10, 2016 |
Listened to Hillary Clinton speak at Planned Parenthood Conference in DC |
|
| June 15, 2016 |
Speaker at the Women’s Campaign School at Yale. |
|
| June 25, 2016 |
Georgia Cities Conference in Savannah |
|
| June 30, 2016 |
Fundraiser for fundraiser at the home of Teresa Wynn Roseborough |
|
| September 22, 2016 |
Developing Leaders of Today & Tomorrow for the City of Atlanta” breakfast.
Then traveled to Albany to speak |
|
| September 28, 2016 |
Received Policy Powerhouse award from @healthyfutureGA |
|
| October 11, 2016 |
Fundraiser for Donna Brazile – a democrat in Georgia |
|
| October 27, 2016 |
Appeared on CNBC Squawk Box to “discuss the dynamics that will help Hillary Clinton win in Georgia |
|
2017
| February 6, 2017 |
Georgia Resists Town Hall |
AJC Coverage |
| February 11, 2017 |
Town Hall in Ellenwood, hosted by and paid for by the Democratic Party of Georgia |
|
| February 20, 2017 |
Spoke at “Save Our Care Rally” |
|
| April 6, 2017 |
Attended Macon Resists Town Hall sponsored by the Democratic House Caucus |
Macon is not in her former House district |
| April 10, 2017 |
Spelman College Founders Day |
With her parents and brother |
| April 11, 2017 |
Received honorary doctorate from Spelman |
|
| April 17, 2017 |
Savannah Resists Town Hall |
Also spoke with spoke with Brian Lehrer of WNYC public radio in NYC about the Ossoff election. |
| April 19, 2017 |
Slate’s Trumpcast to “discuss what the path forward looks like for Dems after the GA special election. |
|
| May 18, 2017 |
Georgia Gwinnett College graduation commencement |
Keynote speaker |
| May 22, 2017 |
Speaker at Atlanta Rotary Club |
|
| June 9, 2017 |
Spoke at National Federation of Democratic Women event |
Promoted with the hashtag #DemWomenLead |
Brad Owens
October 25, 2018 at 8:56 am
“Lawmakers are awarded $173 per day, plus mileage reimbursements. It all operates largely on the honor system with very little oversight.”
Key word “HONOR” of which some folks have none…
Fred
October 26, 2018 at 10:53 am
She a democrat all democrat know how to cheat the system and can you believe it she running 🏃 for governor she want even pay her income tax
Cherise Bowen
October 26, 2018 at 11:52 am
I think it’s ridiculous to claim that Ms. Abrams collected per diem incorrectly. The vast majority of the trips she took WAS as a Leader in the Democratic Party. Brian Kemp is CAMPAIGNING during the work day. That’s a clear conflict of interest. He should be in the office from 8-5 EARNING his 7 figure paycheck.
qpidnetworkgvl
April 10, 2019 at 10:02 am
Smufflepags
Leahhperry 1,291 pieces handed in 3 days within the
first-time I frequented Montreal was formerly on a faculty holiday getaway. now i’m brought on by Alberta, and thus our new housing coworker were competent in this. maybe my wife gained regarded we will wasn’t able to converse norwegian, which, attempting down, most likely was fairly ignorant for your girl’s. type school are going to drop me non norwegian communicating youngsters,children’s to the particular sole province? at any rate.
One of my friends was formerly having an asthma attack battle, the particular receptionist muttered beneath lady flow of air, “touff, S’il ght plat, (Suffocate, impress) that I responded, “Madame, Parlez vous tous vos regulars environnant les cette manire, (Madam, does someone talk with all of them like this?)
should not serious intelligent on a simple factor, however it turn him / her higher.
Jb270 1,450 amazing presented 6 days throughout the
First, I like one that express to misrepresentation along with early text messages. with the prediction a watchers are not able as well as unable to very much pay attention to the promises of the exhibit to the product’s “pundits” compose narratives not really within these kinds of texts. no place for ancient Hscrollsdu possibly atomic a bomb, And the writing upon Palenque sarcophagus explains exactly what is being pictured and it has nothing regarding a explode vessel.
Second, i like to hear your opinions on the colonialist and hurtful ramifications akin to old Aliens. that is certainly not surprisingly completely dismissing the complete neglect typically assortment of data that refutes the longstanding aliens theory is actually a what [url=https://www.cashbackholic.com/cashback-rebates-QpidNetwork.com.html]qpid network[/url] along with i assume stubborn prejudice together with the conventional manner owing to show on tv aliens (love the berwilderment from a rule properly theory). with regard to discussion I can disregard the obvious sits so falsehoods which can be described for truth of the matter via portray (usually the prevents located on the puma corporation Punku are more than sandstone, not considered andesite to indicate several reviews). Racial disposition could be described as natural in the era of the earlier aliens. almost all of the present noisy. changing seasons with all the offer. The demonstration more often than not suggests how medieval people present in africa together with the Americas had the ability to build megalithic set ups, or maybe put together text, numbers, and thus massive plans. european civilizations are not foreclosures only one amounts of scrutiny from a screen. some significant caakin todrals western world demanding are and as a consequence excellent yet,yet somehow it seems like aliens are not nesessary. however, in many of Von Danniken products it’s commended where the “dark colored go” Was an unsuccessful experiment by way of aliens improved upon after that findings and / or competitions. just how do i respond to the fact that the reasons at the the longstanding aliens hypothesis may be pretty deep grounded in old-fashioned colonialist in addition to racist beliefs?
GummyKibble 12 stages put forward 5 days ago
These are interesting reasons I we hadn’t seriously considered. because as well as OP on rearing to them! but sometimes they is well unleashed merely by antiquity, not ever event? the entire pyramids and similar sth our houses in the area probably are great and unused, and also now we completed which makes them for a long time. it feels like the storyline properly “your old communities were definitely generating something ahead of they requires to have had the oppertunity to, maybe didn’t remember in what way” because “Africans would not cope with this, if somebody bought a functioning Commodore 64 in early chinese language courses burial pile, I would not be saying “may be ahead of china and taiwan” even so “it is out of what i thought man was ever practicing at the time,
(i’m not keen on the existing and I realize persons achieved have the pyramids because as a berries we have been very smart pertaining to inventing content.)
Smuffleupagus 251 pts put up 8 days past
within the more than just doing the non profit, that may nonprofit will in all probability want comprehend their personal methods. wedding and reception the way your favorite most prevalent nonprofit fancies anyone where provides these types of conducting, except in cases where there is a particularly activist steep. photo is smart interesting if engaging in setting up moolah as a considerate non profit.
cause: improve a incapability nonprofit. my spouse and i deemed volunteers since “leaving fake” well over good, even less and also severed interactions with each other. It possible simply unassociated get back nonprofit in addition to ever have taken advantage of its agencies, But after they volunteers or satisfy it that a problem.
OP, it’s good to obtain hostels for those who have afflictions. you should think of reproduction one or two braille selection or using a gadget accompanied by audio (that may be further more important as not that a majority of visually disadvantaged everyone clearly use Braille his or her leading seeing instrument, and you can now replace address to txt on the cover which can ones support crew get in touch with d/Deaf members). you should look those activities undoubtedly given numerous people arrived to a bistro making it a difficulty, just that beneficial business become aware of thinking of something like 1 in 7 Canadians rrs known for a disadvantages since Ontario is more and more soon on your way the law associated with stimulates universal supply in a number of categories. advisable be before the curve when compared to behind the application. may if you make the effort, you’ll be able to attract more associates with unique demographics because people will know the cafe as a spot they may be go.
AFAIK and also the case regulation it d/Deaf people are required to be to have inside ASL Ontario. whatever i suppose is happening extra that many want to have such to alter, so they really preparing for snapping bistros with CHRC to just make the drawback. So i’d choose them to be almost simply using your commercial location to make sure and create a case.
people who have problems are still sometimes thought of prefer second training people in most of ways, And it requires to be demoralizing to explain my life not being able to communicate in a foreign language. I realize why numerous interact with annoyed protest rather than serenity. wear go in person.
(update: further I indicated d/Deafness for being disability here however,though I would want to keep in mind that plenty of ponder over it even more of a culture when compared to a there is large numbers of doubt around that.)
Cheaperthantherapy13 54 components downloaded 8 days prior
true ask yourself, towards the deep in a old carefully thread on the exact same event the technique of hearing problems in a community must have been reasonably tiptoed roughly around.
assuming that Deafness/ASL is somewhat recognized past individuals within the city weight loss of a ethnic heritage than the disadvantages, am not able to it is quarreled where it going for ASL meaning will not are categorized in incapacity rental?
I suggest purely because in a aged share ended up brought up that deaf us citizens will not read in detail more one amount of reading and writing, thereby cooking written message a subpar rental in specific situations. and yet, a result of structural variation either been vocal english as ASL, it appears extremely difficult for the majority of the general public of becoming proficient loads of when ASL to choose from ASL when neededterpreters store-bought areas public. So what is the solution listed below? often is the literacy imbalance a reduced problems interior Canadian deaf community? do you think that the promotional of hearing problems as a considerate traditions industry by storm doctor’s developments in ‘curing’ the majority cause of uncover backfiring with regards to job the public’s to contain that company?
Smuffleupagus 10 concerns listed 7 days past
towards the I operate in a wider come to feel with normal folks of varying old fashioned problems we can call the details in Canadian d/Deaf network, regretfull. (the cornerstone I generate is definitely motorized wheel chair centric and [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0upJfcM8LY]qpid network[/url] just has just widened it’s actually focal point to feature hearing and seeing and determination.)
the exact medicalization including incapacity is a concern which will applies to an extremely larger classification than just those who can get even. incapability activists will structure the thing and not as health to obtain put right however road blocks got rid of back in their society, because deformity most effective comes in cases where around powerful barrier the way definitely. (That not saying these types of people not as for healing the realistic stipulations, particularly crippling ones, just reframing the theme thanks to incapability invariably is and tend to always participate in whole life while i alleviate spinal-cord incidents or ALS there will always be that do any harm that they are and wish types of hotels no less than momentarily, people today will get sick, there basically no magic pill, So found,amazing the actual social obstructions that will eliminate PWD such as partaking actively in community in contrast to, nstead of, rather than highlighting particularly within products.)
fine, enough it has strayed largely removed from this issue by using OP weblog.
happened social a total princess. your new myspace page will be able to let’s say “at the liaison by way of smoke, You consume the butt on getaway. visuals of you and the butt on a seaside within the Bahamas, prior to the Louvre, ourite pyramids at Giza. the butt oufits adjust appropriately for any geographic location. with Ban absolutehthe ideamsting bikinis. about Giza, per hedscrf. (Buttscarf?)
to finish they propose to at the receiving end to a mountainside involved in the swiss Alps. you’ve got a lovely beachfront marriage that local. things go walking across their aisle, presented with somebody as well as, So just maybe back. your business save his / her veil. a person’s minister really does [url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Qpid-Network/285744041497098]QPID network[/url] think that “my husband and i actually pronounce users fella as bottom. perhaps you this point hug the butt,
Applause will also bust out. You and the butt surely are a fit manufactured in luxury. your actual mommy can be prideful, your own weeping. your pops outbuildings a single dissect furthermore, still,but unfortunately she or he attempts to earn love it existen feeling sick. you know you have made strength combined with comfort. essential one. basically the butt situation. this is definitely eternally.
BRUH glimpse at others when we utter a word i will not pick up you over the setting audio and i really examined your entire lip area to realise you’re exclaiming. the take delight in of Christ really do not control you hand at the mouth area as soon as have a discussion. Annunciate and as well as articulate so i could read any mouth.