The latest survey by the Center for the Study of Local Issues won't offer much guidance to the politicians who are now back in the State House contemplating Gov. Martin O'Malley's tax plan.

The attitude disclosed by the survey - for which 936 county residents were polled by Anne Arundel Community College students - is hardly unique to this county. It's "Don't tax me, don't tax thee, tax the slot-machine player behind that tree."

One of the least popular proposals with those surveyed is the one the governor relies on the most - the increase in the sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent. Just 34 percent of those surveyed agree,...