Q: The Georgia House voted to form a King Day panel. Are these members getting paid?
-- Joy West, Acworth
A: The nine members of the Martin Luther King Jr. Advisory Committee would be volunteers. The legislation to form the committee, which would develop, coordinate and advise the state on appropriate ceremonies and activities related to the King holiday, was passed 158-5 by the Georgia House on April 12 and is under review by Gov. Nathan Deal.
Q: How many times since Social Security was enacted has the money been tapped into for purposes other than payment to the individuals who are entitled to it and for what purpose?
-- Rebecca Stone, Cumming
A: By law, Social Security taxes can be used only to pay Social Security benefits and related administrative expenses, Social Security Administration officials told Q&A on the News. Social Security Trust Funds -- the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund and the Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund -- receive all revenues from Social Security taxes, spokeswoman Patti Patterson said in an e-mail. Trust fund assets that are not used for benefits are invested in interest-bearing government securities or securities guaranteed by the government. The OASI Trust Fund dates to 1937; the DI Trust Fund was created in 1957. The Department of the Treasury manages both trust funds.
Lori Johnston wrote this column; staff writer April Hunt contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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