Tom wrote many articles, briefs, testimonies, resolutions and bills for his former employers for the nine legislative sessions he worked at the State Capitol for all of District 42.  One example is on the proposed Hoopili Project where he wrote this testimony to the State Land Use Commission.

Tom researched ways in which to get the roads built that government cannot afford to do unless taxes are raised-  something Tom is against and will not raise taxes. So the only other alternative is to let the private sector build the roads government cannot afford to build and charge a "toll" on the end user. Unlike the rail that charges everyone whether they ride it or not, the toll road will only charge those who ride it-  excluding bus riders that would ride on it for free.

It took Tom two years researching and crafting our State's Toll Road Bill supported by Department of Transportation Director Brennon Morioka and Governor Linda Lingle that passed the House but the Senate would not hear it.  The Senate would rather do nothing and thinks we here in West Oahu do not have a transportation crisis and that all we need do is forfeit our cars and all get on the train as the solution to all traffic problems. Imagine people going to Cosco and Sam's Club on the train with their goods- then dragging it on a bus and waiting for the bus with bags and bags of produce for the criminal world to follow them home- let's get real here.  The train is fine, but not at the expense of denying us more roads for we rank dead last in the nation in respect to the number of lane miles offered to its population.  We are severely lane deficient and this must be remedied and Tom is that candidate to get us the relief we deserve as Americans to preserve our independence and right to freedom of mobility.

Please read "PROPOSEDHB70SD1"

In brief, besides all Bus Riders and Handi-Vans and Car- Pools riding for free, the toll road would charge less than $3.00 each way on the single car and only apply the toll on a newly constructed reversible expressway-  no preexisting roads would ever be tolled. Once the private sector that fronted the money and built the expressway has recouped its money, then the toll road reverts back to a free road! Folks, it's just an option...if you don't like it-   then don't use it and pay nothing.

For the rest of us that value getting to our destination is less than half the time, saving more than double on fuel costs which renders the toll expense as a savings instead of a cost incurred, let us have another alternative to the H-1 Freeway mess and stop trying to force us out of our cars.

The toll road bill Tom wrote also would have the Legislature approve of the contract prior to any design starting and have numerous public hearings transpire beforehand to ensure the best fit for us.

In addition, Tom is working with Kapolei Neighborhood Board member Dr. Dudley on infrastructure needs and an email exchange between the two is pasted below for your review.

August 26, 2008

Dear Tom Berg & Friends of Makakilo,

            We all need to be more aware of the phrases, “Concurrency ordinance” and “Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances.”  Hawaii County ( Big Island ) passed such an ordinance last year.  We will be asking our City Council to do the same.   Please take a couple of seconds to read through this material, and possibly check out the website.

Dr. Kioni Dudley  
President, Friends of Makakilo

Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs)

The phrase “adequate public facilities” has an appealing ring to residents, public officials and developers in many fast growing suburban areas. In plain English, an APFO says that if the roads are too congested, if the school classrooms are too crowded, if the water system cannot provide enough water, if the sewer pipes or
treatment plant are full, or if there are not enough playing fields for recreational use, then development can not be approved until the problem is corrected.

Hawaii County Concurrency Ordinance

An adequate public facilities (or concurrency management) ordinance is a growth management approach that ties or conditions development approval to the availability and adequacy of public facilities and services, thus ensuring that new development does not take place unless the infrastructure is available to support it. An Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) is an ordinance adopted by the County Council that allows it to defer the approval of developments based upon a finding by the County Council that public facilities would not be adequate to support the proposed development at build out.

Read more about this here.
Read info. Click on slide show for info about Big Island Concurrency ordinance.