Who establishes policies for the State Merit System?

The State Personnel Board is responsible for establishing policies for the State Merit System in Georgia. This system is designed to ensure that hiring, promotion, and other employment practices in the state government are conducted fairly and based on merit rather than favoritism or political affiliation. The Board's role involves creating and overseeing the regulations that guide personnel practices to maintain a competent and efficient government workforce.

The other entities listed, while important in their respective roles, do not set the specific policies for the State Merit System. For example, the General Assembly may enact laws affecting civil service regulations, but the actual implementation of these laws and the policies guiding merit-based employment are the purview of the State Personnel Board. Similarly, the Governor has executive authority but typically appoints members to the Board rather than directly establishing the policies themselves. The State Budget Office primarily handles financial matters rather than personnel policy. Thus, the correct answer highlights the specific authority of the State Personnel Board in managing and directing the policies that form the foundation of the State Merit System.