The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce has joined the ranks of business groups opposing the tuition tax credit bill being considered by lawmakers.

Local chamber president Ike McLeese said Friday the so-called Put Parents in Charge bill “as written is not a good solution” to the state’s education needs.

The Columbia chamber joins the Anderson and Charleston chambers in opposing the bill. The state Chamber of Commerce has yet to take a position, said Julie Horton, vice president of communications.

“We’ve got a very divided membership,” Horton said, but she expects the chamber to take a position.

Supporters of the bill, which could be considered by a House committee this week, said the chamber’s decision is puzzling.

“It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for business organizations to oppose market-based solutions to some of our education woes,” said Denver Merrill, spokesman for South Carolinians for Responsible Government. “Frankly, their members exist because of competition and the free-market system.”

But, Merrill added, “We applaud their support of public education and believe the business community has a duty to be involved in public education.”

Merrill said the S.C. Taxpayers Association has publicly supported the bill, one of Gov. Mark Sanford’s signature initiatives.

McLeese said his members are concerned there would not be enough accountability in how the tax credits are used and whether children who use the credits to go to private schools actually receive a better education.

The chamber would rethink its position, he said, if the bill were changed to address those concerns.

Reach Gould Sheinin at (803) 771-8658 or asheinin@thestate.com.