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EDITORIAL: The HST race is on

B.C. taxpayers can soon expect a full-court press on the pros and cons of the harmonized sales tax.

B.C. taxpayers can soon expect a full-court press on the pros and cons of the harmonized sales tax.

Advocates on both sides of the HST debate will be mounting campaigns, using $500,000 of taxpayers' money, and both the province and the New Democrats will jump into the fray as well.

But it's clear the strongest voice, at least the one with the most to gain or lose, is the provincial government, which will have more than a few dollars at its disposal to get its message out. Finance Minister Kevin Falcon has said the government will propose a plan for improving the HST, which could include a drop in the 12% tax, a promise to re-open negotiations with the federal government and exemptions for things such as sports programs until a rate cut can be implemented.

Much of the anger towards the HST has abated and a cut could further soften the opposition. It appears the province holds all the cards in this gamble.

What do you think?Would you vote for the Harmonized Sales Tax if there was a rate cut? Vote in our online poll (scroll down).