COLUMBIA, S.C. - The simmering debate over school choice in South Carolina ran into the lingering issue of racial equality Thursday as black leaders pledged to fight a bill that would give tax credits to parents who send their children to private schools.

The measure has become a contentious issue long before it is expected to be taken up in a committee.

A discussion between state NAACP President Lonnie Randolph and Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, turned into a nearly nose-to-nose shouting match in the crowded lobby of the Statehouse.

Viers approached Randolph about the NAACP's economic boycott of the state set in place until the Confederate flag is removed from Capitol grounds.

"Call off your boycott and more money can go into our education system," Viers said.

Randolph said the boycott was a separate issue from funding education and accused the lawmaker of making "bigoted comments."

"Is that the only counter to education in this state ... to say that I'm racist?" asked Viers, who is white.

Randolph, who is black, replied: "If the shoe fits, wear it."

Minutes before the encounter, members of the state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and black lawmakers said the legislation would take resources away from public education.

"It is a move back to segregating schools," said Rep. David Mack, D-North Charleston, who is chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus.

Mack also said he was concerned about money being pumped into the state to pay individuals to take a position against public education.

"There are groups running around that's made up of leadership in the black community that is very much misguided on this issue," Mack said. "We at the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus - we are not for sale."

Supporters of the bill say South Carolina ranks at the bottom of many education rankings and something needs to change. The bill would allow parents the option to transfer their children to different public schools, send them to charter schools, parochial schools or home school.

"It opens up a discussion there needs to be reforms in the education system," said the Rev. Richard Davis, who is executive director of Clergy for Education Options.

Davis, whose group advocates for minorities, said he was disappointed that race was dragged into the debate.

"When you play the race card it becomes very sensitive, people's emotions get riled up and they don't even want to look at the bill," Davis said.

Winthrop University political science professor Scott Huffmon said it's no surprise the debate turned to talks about race.

"Race is inextricably linked to socio-economic status, especially in the South," Huffmon said. "It shows just how deeply entrenched these issues are in South Carolina society."

Randolph said the best solution to the achievement gap between black and white children is to treat them fairly and change the way the state pays for education.

He said the state relies on property taxes to pay for schools and minorities have poor-performing schools because they often live in low-income areas.

"The leadership of this state has never sat down and listened to the other side's complaint. They only respond to pressure," Randolph said. "The structure of the state is to keep black children behind."

Gov. Mark Sanford has pushed the bill as a way to take politics out of the education system and replace it with the power of the marketplace.

The Republican governor's spokesman Will Folks said school district lines have been drawn through black and white communities.

"The system has done a fairly capable job, sadly, of segregating itself," Folks said. "That's why we believe parents in largely minority, low-income parts of the state are receptive to school choice."