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Marylands new Republican governor enjoys solid public support for some of his plans to curb agency spending and cut taxes, but he faces strong opposition to a proposal to slow the growth of education funding, a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll found.

Three weeks into his tenure, Marylanders have high hopes for Gov. Larry Hogan, an Anne Arundel County businessman who won an upset victory in the heavily Democratic state by promising fiscal restraint and a new direction after the eight-year tenure of Gov. Martin OMalley (D).

Parts of Hogans agenda solving the budget shortfall, for example, and expanding charter schools resonate with state residents, although the vast majority appear to oppose his proposal to alter school funding formulas. Overall, about half of the Hogan initiatives tested in the poll received less than majority support.

That split illustrates both possibility and peril for Hogan as he sets out to define his governorship and find common ground with the Democratic-controlled General Assembly whose leaders have vowed to resist efforts to curb school funding and whose priorities are generally supported by state residents. Hogan has said repeatedly that he wants avoid the partisan acrimony that festered under Marylands last Republican governor, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

(Full poll results)

Although his relationship with legislative leaders has started to sour, Hogan continues to enjoy a honeymoon with the public. Nearly 6 in 10 Maryland adults are confident that Hogan will take the state in the right direction, according to the poll. And among those who express an opinion, approval of Hogans performance is 18 percentage points higher than disapproval. Democrats are split about evenly on Hogans job performance, and more than five times as many Republicans approve as disapprove.

Marylanders such as Shirley Hendrix, a Democrat who lives in Middle River in Baltimore County, said they are willing to give Hogan a chance. Hendrix, a retired deli worker, said she voted for OMalley in 2010 but felt taxed to death during his tenure.

Basically, we needed a change, said Hendrix, who voted for Hogan in November. I can sum it all up like that.

Chris Casson, another Democrat who voted for Hogan, said she understands that she wont agree with everything Hogan does as governor but appreciates his candor about the states finances and other issues.

He inherited a quagmire, said Casson, 65, a Gaithersburg resident and retired receptionist.Hogan is going to tell us what hes going to do. It doesnt mean that well like all of it.

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Poll: Marylanders like Hogan, but oppose effort to slow school funding