A recent Elway poll showed it behind by 7 percentage points, although 11 percent remained undecided.

The poll was taken before initiative foes launched a media campaign that could outspend supporters 10-to-1.

Voters will decide Nov. 8 whether to erase the 3-cent gas tax increase that went into effect in July plus upcoming increases amounting to nearly 10 cents on the gallon.

A majority vote would revert the tax back to the old rate of 28 cents a gallon. That would eliminate $5.5 billion in planned spending over the next 16 years. Cities and counties would not get $562 million in new road money.

Governor Gregoire, legislative leaders and a coalition of business, labor and environmentalists are fighting the initiative. They say lawmakers were farsighted to pass the gas tax increase to help pay for needed transportation improvements.

Opponents don't trust the government to use the new money to reduce congestion. They say the government should make better use of existing tax revenue.