Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA, SC -- There's a new twist in the South Carolina stimulus stalemate because there's a new player in the game, and it's not a politician.

It's an 18-year-old Chapin High School student, and she's going to the State Supreme Court, asking justices to clarify who's authorized to accept federal stimulus money.

18-year-old Casey Edwards looks like your average high school senior, but taking on the state of south carolina is something few of her peers would do..

"Our schools were not going to get the money that the majority of the states were getting for their education systems. I found a problem with that."

Edwards is suing the state because she disagrees with Governor Mark Sanford's decision to turn down 700 million in federal stimulus dollars.

The graduating senior says her teachers will suffer without the money and claims someone other than the Governor is authorized to accept it..

Her attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Dwight Drake say the move is not politically-motivated.

Dwight Drake says, "This is not a lawsuit against the Governor. This is not a lawsuit challenging his authority under this act or in any way. This is a lawsuit to answer a simple legal question."

Governor Sanford has responded to the suit saying, "The State's Attorney General and the White House have already confirmed what we've long believed... This administration has the sole authority to ask for these funds... not the legislature." He adds the suit is being filed by two long time Columbia political insiders.

Edwards claims, "This is a very simple matter, and I'm hoping that everyone will agree that our education system can use this money."

That's a point few would dispute, but how to fund schools still divides many in the state.

Attorney General Henry Mcmaster represents South Carolina in the lawsuit.

In a statement he says, "I'm pleased the Supreme Court is expeditiously addressing this lawsuit. As its premature filing may be perceived as partisan and politically motivated -- because the Governor and Legislature still have time to resolve the issue prior to the end of the legislative session."

To look at the complete lawsuit filed on Thursday, see the link below.  You can voice your thoughts on the lawsuit by leaving a comment below.