Poll: Most voters support measure to use gas tax for transportation projects.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

SAN JOSE, Calif. _ More than three of every five likely voters in Tuesday's California primary say they support Proposition 42, which would earmark the sales tax on gasoline for state transportation projects.

A Field Poll released Thursday showed that 61 percent supported the measure, up from 53 percent in January. The poll found that 23 percent were against the proposition, with 16 percent undecided.

The measure would divert about $1.4 billion a year that has gone into the general fund.

Pollsters say support for the proposition could slip, with the California Teachers Association this week mounting a $2 million radio, TV and mailing blitz ...