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(Continued from Page 1) that requiring two inspections per year does nothing to reduce accidents or improve highway safety.
In regard to state support of education, the Page county supervisor and vocational agriculture teacher for the past 27 years said he opposes educational mandates handed down from Richmond without accompanying funds to finance the mandates. “If localities don't get the financing, there’s no way I could support the mandates,” he said.
Asked for his position on the request for a gas tax increase expected to come before the General Assembly next year, Catron said several conditions must be met before he could consider voting for a tax hike. According to Catron Republicans have been saying for years that the Virginia Department of Highways and transportation is overstaffed by five percent. “If that’s true, personnel must be reduced, particularly in administration and other non-productive areas.” In addition, he said that road standards in rural areas should be eased before a gas tax increase is considered. For example, he noted, rights-of-way could be reduced from 50 to 40 feet, a move that would preserve agricultural land as well as cutting construction and maintenance expenses. If these two steps are taken and
92.9%