The Student Versus The Governor

(CBS)  At this point, most 18 year olds would be coasting through their last weeks in high school.

But Casey Edwards is taking Governor Mark Sanford all the way to the state Supreme Court over the governor's refusal to accept federal stimulus money - some $700 million in aid for South Carolina's schools.

"The fact that we're going to turn down money when we desperately need it, really bothered me," Edwards said.

Over the past year, Edwards and her friends have been working to improve impoverished schools along South Carolina's I-95 - a stretch of rural districts known as the Corridor of Shame, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor.

Bud Ferillo made a documentary about the issue, "Corridor of Shame: The Neglect of South Carolina's Rural Schools."

"The school systems are suffering deeply, some of those schools are a hundred years old, or more," Ferillo said.

Edwards was inspired by this documentary to raise money for East Elementary in Dillon, one of the neediest districts in the state, where 93 percent of the kids live below the poverty line.

"She raised 10 grand, took it over to that school two hours from here and gave it to them for Christmas," Ferillo said.

"It was like an answer to a prayer," said Bobbie Walters, the principal of East Elementary.

The school used the money to purchase a copier, an important piece of equipment to a school that can't afford new books.

"We use the copier to do all of our work sheets, letters to parents, tests, quizzes just about everything that we do," Waters said.

Other schools featured in the documentary are in even worse shape.

"I saw classrooms that are unsafe, that are unhealthy, sewage backing up in hallways, crumbling paint, ceilings that were falling in," Ferillo said.

That's why Edwards is challenging the governor, a fiscal conservative, who says he would accept the federal stimulus money, only if the legislature used it to pay down state debt.

In a statement, the governor told CBS News he's "looking out for school children who will be forced to pay back the so-called stimulus bill."

It's an argument Edwards doesn't buy.

"When the federal government is offering money to our state, I didn't understand why we were going to turn that down," Edwards said.

South Carolina's legislature has voted to accept the money, but the governor is expected to veto the bill.

"If the governor turns down the request for money for education, I will take this case back to the Supreme Court," Edwards said.

The governor has until midnight Tuesday to decide.

[whatwouldtylerdo]

"young and idealistic"..... its a shame that you think that is criteria no longer needed. im pretty sure thats what people said about the men, over 200 years ago, who wanted to declare independence from a far away opressive regime. had they not been "young and idealistic" im pretty sure we would be speaking with accents and driving on the opposite sides of the road. i find it ironic that you were "born-in-SC" yet u have no desire to help the children from the poorest parts of the state to which you so proudly declare your allegiance. but my guess is you dont have any children that attend any of these decrepid, woefully inadequate schools, do you? "young and idealistic"...i believe that that is what may be needed to help your states' schools out of the quandry that they are in, because whatever thought process's that were in place before are apparently what got them in the situation they are in today. so think about that phrase "young and idealisitc" and contemplate where we-you and i- would be without people like Miss Casey Edwards. you needn't think to hard, just look outside your window, South Carolina appears to be a model of a state run by those who are just the opposite......

[born-in-SC]

So, Ms Edwards is likened to Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and John Adams, interesting. She has saved the day! I'm sorry to say she is just a pawn of the democratic party machine.

Also your grammer is very poor, did you not pay attention in english class?

[born-in-SC]

Ms. Edwards may have good intentions no matter how misguided. Her attorney Mr. Harpootlian, former SC Democratic party chairman, will do anything to oppose the republican party. This lawsuit is purely politics. I gave money to the cause Ms. Edwards advocates, it is a noble cause but she is young and idealistic. This country has forgotten that sound money management is the only way to solve our country's monetary problems. The majority of the people in SC that will not be blown about like an autumn leaf by the latest Washington whimsey. I stand behind our governor, borrowing money you cannot pay back is only prolonging the inevitable. We have to live within our means.

[henryecru]

I am waiting to hear what was the answer from the governor, I am sure he has his legal staff buzzing to stall this case. Maybe we will hear something today, this should be D-Day.

[ozilot]

The governor is getting his b.utt handed to him by a teenager!

Gee I wonder how well Sanford would stack up against a fifth grader?

[henryecru]

THIS THING IS GETING LARGER BY THE DAY, CAN NOT WAIT FOR HIS RESPONSE TONIGHT, MEANWHILE STILL STRUGGLING IN MS. FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR A JOB ALL WE WANT IS TO AT AND PAY A FEW BILL,S NOT ASKING FOR MUCH,WHEN THE JEWS WERE GASED TODEATH AND WE DROPPED THE BOMBS, OH NO THAT IS CONSIDERED INHUMAME BUT IT IS O.K. FOR THE MS. GOV, AND THES OTHER REPUBLICAN GOV. TO STARVE PEOPLE TODEATH , WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IT IS JUST A SLOWER DEATH BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE, BUT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE FIGHTING A LOOSING BATTLE.

[abbey11]

I moved from Pa. to S.C. five years ago. I cannot believe how illiterate the people are down here. I think Republicans just want to keep them stupid so they go along with their illogical thinking. I've never met a group of people that love to cut off their noses to spite their faces, and are led like lambs to slaughter. Corporations and business is "GOD'" down here, and the poorest of people think that's just fine. Nothing goes to the citizens; they call that welfare. But welfare to corporations is just fine! Their answer to all that is "my daddy was a Republican, my grand-daddy was a Republican, so I'm a Republican." Absolutely no thought goes into it. By the way, the only reason I'm here is the weather--it's wonderful! A lot of transplants are here for the same reasons, so I hope some day we'll overide the ignorance!

[lpthomp1956]

If only some adults were as mature, empathetic, and selfless as this beautiful young lady. I am honestly ashamed and bewildered as to how Sanford and some posters here can go to sleep at night knowing the learning environment that even one SC child must endure! It is horrible enough that children have to live in such impoverished conditions as in the Corridor of Shame, but how can we deny them a school where they actually appreciate the education being provided for them . . . so that they may pull themselves out of poverty someday. It is ugly enough to turn your backs on these precious children but to criticize those (youth, nonetheless) who try to help is unconscionable!! Republicans-democrats! Who freakin' cares about your political affiliations! We are talking about human life and basic decency! How 'bout if we each donate even a SMALL amount to those schools there to show that people actually care more for humanity than they do about hating this party or that one! Get over this childish mentality! Please!

[aprilsnchome]

I guess Gov. Sanford's replacement will be left to figure out what to do with these uneducated children when they become uneducated adults.

Good for you, Casey Edwards! Doing the right thing doesn't belong to one party or the other. It's just the right thing to do.

[texasbeta]

I think this stoopid little teenie bopper needs to know her role, and shut her mouth - all she is doing is trying to make the State of South Carolina look like a bunch of welfare hoe mongers with their hands stuck out for some freebies!
She should save her money for a nose job and some braces.
Posted by DaVicar5

Awww...you are a monkey, a typing monkey. "Know your role"...? Who are you, the slaghappy redneck trash that watches wrastlin'? Face it...you have aboslutely NOTHING to offer. What the hell do you know about a welfare state? Judging your comments, you are an idiot. Bring something ya trash!

[kansas1946]

Out of the mouths of babes..
This governor is refusing the funds purely for political reasons at the expense of
his state, and this young woman is taking exception. Good for her.