Senate committee gives favorable reports to multiple nominees for South Carolina Foster Care Review Board

A Senate committee on appointments on a public agenda item gave favorable reports to five nominees for seats on the South Carolina Foster Care Review Board after screening, formal swearing-in and committee questions.

The committee called Cheryl Azuri Long forward to be sworn as the Second Congressional District member and reviewed her personal data questionnaire, statement of economic interest, SLED background check, credit report and driving record. During questioning, Long said she had no disqualifying legal or financial issues and described a 48-year career as executive director of a county alcohol and drug program. "I will do anything and everything I possibly can to help the children have a better life because I believe they deserve it," Long said during her remarks about serving children and older residents.

Committee members also emphasized legislative fixes. The chair told Long that the Senate had passed a bill to create a state child advocate that "would address the issues that you just raised" and encouraged her to contact House members to help move the companion House measure.

The committee proceeded to screen and swear in George E. Jones (Third Congressional District), Jane W. Daniel (Fourth Congressional District), Mary Dixon Long (Fifth Congressional District) and Felicia Butler Miles (Seventh Congressional District). Jones described long local and state board experience and his military service; Daniel recounted roughly 30–35 years on review boards and nonprofit work; Mary Dixon Long described local child-protection work and a continuing commitment to child advocacy; and Miles cited 33 years in public education and local board service.

Each nominee answered the committee's standard vetting questions about conflicts of interest, arrests, investigations, liens and disciplinary actions and denied disqualifying circumstances. After each screening, a motion for a favorable report was made, seconded and approved with proxies voting aye; the chair announced a favorable report for each nominee.

The transcript records the committee's screening and favorable reports but does not include any further procedural steps, such as full-Senate confirmation actions, in this meeting's record.