(Columbia-AP) April 6, 2005 - A House panel will take public comment on Wednesday around 3:00pm on a bill that would give tax credits to parents whose children transfer from public school.

The "Put Parents in Charge Act" is one of Governor Mark Sanford's top legislative priorities. The Republican says he wants to take politics out of the education system and replace it with the power of the market place.

Groups representing the state's public educators say the proposal would take money away from public schools. The legislation says parents paying for private school tuition can take a tax credit equal to 51 percent of what the state spends on a per-pupil basis. That would be nearly $2200 this fall, based on the state budget bill.

The Revenue Department would be responsible for implementing and overseeing the credit.

Orangeburg Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter says she is concerned the agency would have to hire new staff. Agency director Burnie Maybank says the bill may place additional duties on some of the agency's 600 workers.

The legislation had its first hearing before a House subcommittee last week. The hearing drew a large crowd, even though no action was taken on the bill.

Three of the bill's sponsors are on the subcommittee, making the bill likely to sail to the House Ways and Means Committee. But the road to House floor after that gets more difficult. Legislators are considering several amendments to the bill, including eliminating an income cap for eligibility and allowing only students in failing or unsatisfactory schools to transfer.

Updated 9:14am by BrettWitt