Nearly seven of 10 voters across the state oppose Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to allow counties to raise the sales tax by 1 percent and keep the revenue for local government, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll released this morning.

Voters, however, support by 67 to 28 percent the governor's proposal to increase cigarette taxes 10 cents a pack. Voters also back, by 62 to 34 percent, Mr. Rendell's plan to legalize video poker machines in bars, using the money for tuition assistance at state and community colleges.

Opposition to the sales tax proposal statewide is 69 to 28 percent and is consistent in Philadelphia and Allegheny County, where the sales tax already is and would remain at 7 percent, and in the rest of the state, where sales taxes could rise to 7 percent. Opposition to the measure is 72 to 25 percent among Republicans, 62 to 34 percent among Democrats and 73 to 25 percent among independent voters, the poll said.

Mr. Rendell received an overall job approval by those polled, 47 to 38 percent. Republicans disapprove by 51 to 31 percent, but the governor is supported, 63 to 25 percent, among Democrats and 44 to 41 percent among independents.

The governor received mixed reviews on other issues.

"Pennsylvania's weak economy takes a toll on Gov. Rendell, who gets a negative score for the way he is handling the economy," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "But voters split right down the middle in their approval of the way Rendell is handling his new budget."