Q: Is there a watchdog committee that oversees the Georgia Lottery officials to make sure they act in a responsible way?
—Eldridge Holland, Atlanta
A: The General Assembly's Georgia Lottery Corporation Legislative Oversight Committee was created from the Georgia Lottery for Education Act. It was tasked to "inquire into and review the operations of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, as well as periodically review and evaluate the success with which the authority is accomplishing its statutory duties and functions as provided in this chapter. The oversight committee may conduct any independent audit or investigation of the authority it deems necessary," according to state code.
The act also created the board of directors, which is “composed of seven members to be appointed by the Governor. Members shall be appointed with a view toward equitable geographic representation.”
Q: “Jeopardy!” has been on TV in some form or another for the past 50 years. Do they ever repeat the answers? How many people do they have on staff to come up with the categories and answers?
—Kathy McDonough, Peachtree Corners
A: Answers have been repeated, but are reworded on the show, Slate.com reported in a 2011 article. For example: "Jeopardy!" writers rewrote this 1998 "Before and After" answer — "The Sultan of Swat makes it to the Supreme Court." – to this one used in 2004 — "Portly Yankee slugger who became a more svelte Supreme Court Justice." The question to both was "Who is Babe Ruth Ginsburg?" There are six researchers and eight writers who "create and assemble categories and questions for the series," according to the show's website, www.jeopardy.com.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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