Gov. Gray Davis today said he backed an idea being promoted by local tech executives to make it easier for Californians to raise taxes for transportation projects.

Speaking this morning to the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, an umbrella group for high-tech employers, Davis said he supports the concept of lowering the threshold for transportation tax measures from two-thirds to 55 percent.

His remarks were a big boost for businesses, led by the manufacturing group, pushing for a ballot measure as early as next year to ease passage of what they call crucial transportation taxes.

``I think the concept is a good one,'' Davis said. ``Every Californian who's been in traffic understands the importance of reducing congestion.''

Davis said he wanted to see the details of the ballot measure before he formally endorses it, but his remarks come as welcome news to the Valley Transportation Authority, which is mired in red ink and may need a tax increase to bail it out.

The drive to lower the threshold for transportation taxes is expected to trigger a fight with fiscal conservatives, including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.