New Democrat Leader Carole James has proposed an amendment to B.C.'s Recall and Initiative Act that she says would pave the way for a fall vote on the Harmonized Sales Tax.

In a letter to Premier Gordon Campbell sent earlier this week, James outlined her reasons for a fall referendum, including economic stability, and certainty for B.C. families.

"The amendment requires government to hold a referendum on an initiative petition within six months of it being referred to the Chief Electoral Officer," says James in the letter.

"This change gives your government the legislative authority to hold a referendum as early as this fall."

James goes on to say that B.C.'s economy cannot afford the uncertainty that would result from a year-long referendum delay.

"Certainty and stability are important for investor and consumer confidence. Holding a referendum on a major tax initiative one year from now undermines that confidence," says James.

Meanwhile, former B.C. premier Bill Vander Zalm is taking matters into another direction, preparing for a mass MLA recall campaign. Vander Zalm stated during his anti-HST tour earlier this year that the Recall and Initiative Act was outdated and needed amending in order to make it more effective.

James says the New Democrat caucus is ready to return to the Legislature to pass the amendment into law.