Wednesday, December 9, 2015
What I know about programming
From what I've practiced with the different kinds of coding I know that you have to be extremely specific with what you want your character to say or do. You can't generalize that the computer program is just gonna know what you want it to do. You have to tell it which direction and how many spaces you want it to move as well as which character you want to move and where to move it. All of this plus telling the character what you want it to say is difficult as well and takes good practice.
As for what I would like to learn from programming I would like to learn how to create my own phone app or even a computer app for people to use.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Donald Trump building activity
1 stack= 1 week
100 building blocks
Problem: Build a tower taking as little time as possible to build it.
There are three possible ways that you could build the tower. You could do 2 stacks of 50 which equals 2 weeks to complete, 5 stacks of 20 which takes 5 weeks to complete, or 4 stacks of 25 and takes 4 weeks to complete.
The best way to complete the tower would be to make 2 stacks of 50 so that you are only using 2 weeks.
Answer: It would take 2 weeks to finish the tower.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Cornrow Braid History
Cornrow braid History
The tradition of "Cornrow Braiding" originated around 500 B.C. The style was used to indicate status, religion, kinship, age, ethnicity, and transmit cultural value between generations. When America had started bringing slaves over, the Africans were stripped of their hair for sanitary reasons. This was a way of removing the slaves past and forcing them to take part in the white culture of hairstyles. There are many artifacts from thousands of years ago showing people with the hairstyle of cornrows. Those of the slaves that working inside the plantation house such as women and children, and not often men, were required to have a clean and neat appearance when inside the house. This often allowed the slaves to wear their hair in cornrows, plaits, and tight braids. After the civil war many African Americans began to straighten their hair. Although that was mostly left for the adults to do. The children more often than not had cornrow and tight braids done in their hair. Only on a Sunday would a young child be seen with her hair down and free of all braids. One of the many styles that came about in our history was in the 1950's when African women began to wear their hair in sort of a "Bush" style. Only then did Americans start to realize the beauty for African hairstyles.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Data privacy issues
Data privacy issues
The 5 biggest online privacy threats: I felt that the fact that data never forgets a face worried me quite a bit. I use social media quite often to be honest an I do tag my friends in funny photos an such but it never occurred to me that it can have long lasting very bad affects on the person who was tagged, let alone the person who tagged the other.
It's not only dangerous that this happens but when the data is used to find other people whom you may not know, that is not something that is safe. Especially to those who are teens or younger using Facebook or any other social media.“Someone can take a photo of you and then track you down based on other identified photos of you that may have been posted on the Web. It’s scary and opens very real dangers of being stalked.”, said John Simpson. This is very dangerous isn't safe at all. Things like this should not be able to be done through social media, for example, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and many others.
A face is exposed for AOL: While reading this it made me feel as if no online media can be trusted to keep things anonymous. A woman named, Thelma Arnold, a 62-year old widow, was exposed while frequently searching her friends medical ailments to help her three beloved dogs. AOL was supposed to keep her searches private to the world but instead they openly exposed her an a photo of her dog who has special needs.
This was very wrong of them to do. This goes to show that just about nothing is safe from people an hackers on the internet. This was a simple woman searching for medical ailments and ended up having to deal with people who were going through her searches.
Your Instagram is not as private as you thought: I personally love my Instagram and I do post a lot of photo's of many things. Not in particular my face but there are photo's that aren't really meant for other peoples eyes because some people may not find them appealing. When I realized that Instagram does not keep the photo's private when linked to my Facebook or Twitter, an that people can access it through my other profiles it bothered me.
Having that as a constant possibility, can leave someone open or vulnerable to impersonation, bullying, or even stalking. Instagram should probably fix this before they lose a good number of people using their site.
Twitter can track you: When I saw that Twitter tracks its followers through all their devices I definitely felt uncomfortable. I have a Twitter but I don't use it. It is connected through my Instagram and my Facebook which means its probably stalking me through those two social media's as well.
This is definitely not okay on many levels and should be stopped as soon as possible. This gives Twitter the upper hand to poke fun, stalk, and maybe even bully a person that they see as an easy target. Twitter should not be able to have this ability over its users.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Computer intelligence activity
1.Intelligence is having the characteristics of having knowledge and being able to comprehend different types of information. As in you have a reaction when you make something happen. Meaning the object is self aware of its surroundings.
2.I believe that computers are not intelligent.
3.They have a different kind of intelligent. They are not self aware but they have a large extent of knowledge when they are programmed. The extent of a computers knowledge is only how much its programmed to be aware of an that is controlled by what the user allows it to do.
Eliza Chatbot: You can obviously tell that she is only a computer because she constantly repeats herself. Her sentences are choppy and don't make sense most of the conversation. She is obviously a computer unknowing of herself.
Skynet: Is very intelligent an you can tell that it is more than just a computer. It is not self aware yet but it is very close. The ability it holds allows it to be close enough to having a normal conversation with an actual person.
Alice: She is reliability close to talking to an actual person but does still have her "computer" moments when she is confusing or repeats herself an it becomes hard to understand her.
Pixel: Is very much just a computer. She is not self aware and is very confusing. When asked a question she looks up articles that are not relevant to what is being spoken of.
Moni: Draws random information from the internet that is relevant and confusing. None of its sentences make sense and are not related to one another.
4. Can you think of any occasions that a computer might want to know if it is talking to another computer of a real life person?
A. A computer might want to know if its speaking to another computer to simple communicate information. It might want to know if its speaking to a human to show that the computer is more intelligent than a human.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- Take out two pieces of white bread from the package.
- Take out a container of peanut butter and a container of strawberry jelly
- Take out a butter knife.
- Open the peanut butter container and scoop out some peanut butter with a butter knife.
- Then spread the peanut butter evenly across one piece of bread.
- Cover the entire one side of the one piece of bread.
- Using the same butter knife scoop out some of the strawberry jelly and spread it over the other piece of bread.
- Once completed take the butter knife and place it in the sink.
- Put the lids back on both containers and put them back.
- Then taking both pieces of the bread, place the jelly sided bread against the opposite piece of bread onto the peanut butter, putting the two of them together to create the sandwich.
Friday, September 25, 2015
What do YOU see?
- Guitar
- laptop
- t.v
- posters
- books
- trophies
- magazines
- globe
- window
- pizza
- shoes
- fish
- glasses
- mp3 with headphones
- phone
- car
- radio
- boombox
- violin
- cheeseburger
- soda
- game controller
- calendar
- medals
- lava lamp
- straws
- discs
- pringles
- person
- bus
- coffee cup
- PS4
2.The data shown tells me that this person obviously has more than they need. Plus they have a messy room showing that they have more than one thing going on at a time.
3. Most of the items in the room are related to what a teenage boy might have in his room.
4. The boy has three toy soldiers in his room.
5. I think that different representations can tell different stories because if this boy had had his room cleaner and it was just him sitting on the floor, the t.v was off and his floor was clean and everything was put away I would have thought that the boy is trying to calmly focus on tuning or working with his guitar. An it is possible that someone else might see something different that what I see when I look at the image.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Website research
Delicious.com is a website in which you can get in on the media's newest fads and be apart of the worldly gossip. You can add links and follow others as they post and share feeds about achievements, local spots, and even cosmetics.
Wordle.com is a website in which you can create and produce your own word clouds and make them into your own arrangement and style to fit what you most find intriguing.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger Hunt: App Design.
1. A picture of Thurston County commissioner: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/bocc/bios/cathybio.htm
2. A bus schedule: http://www.intercitytransit.com/mapsandschedules/routemapsandschedules/Pages/default.aspx
| 101 Dash | Free Downtown Olympia Shuttle |
| 411Nightline | Weekend late-night service between Downtown Olympia and The Evergreen State College. |
| 12 | L&I, West Tumwater, Downtown Olympia |
| 13 | L&I, East Tumwater, Downtown Olympia |
| 21 | Bethel Street, North Central Street, Downtown Olympia |
| 41 Nightline | The Evergreen State College, Downtown Olympia. Nightline is weekend, late-night service between Downtown Olympia and The Evergreen State College. |
| 42 | Family Court, SPSCC |
| 43 | Thurston County Courthouse, SPSCC, Tumwater Square, Downtown Olympia |
| 44 | Capital Mall, South Puget Sound Community College, Downtown Olympia |
| 45 | Capital Mall, Conger, Downtown Olympia |
| 47 | Capital Medical Center, Capital Mall, Downtown Olympia |
| 48 | The Evergreen State College, Westfield Mall, Downtown Olympia |
| 49 | Capital Mall, Downtown Olympia, evenings and weekends |
| 60 | Group Health, Panorama City, Downtown Olympia |
| 62A | Lacey, Meridian, Downtown Olympia |
| 62B | Lacey, The Meadows, Downtown Olympia |
| 64 | Lacey, Amtrak, College Street, Downtown Olympia |
| 66 | Lacey, Ruddell Road, Downtown Olympia |
| 67 | Lacey, Tri Lake |
| 68 | Lacey, Tumwater Square, Downtown Olympia. |
| 94 | Lacey Corporate Center, Yelm, Downtown Olympia |
| 592 | Olympia Dupont, Lakewood, & Seattle |
3.The address for the Chamber of Commerce for Grand-Mound Rochester: http://grandmoundrochesterchamber.com/
The Grand Mound Rochester Chamber of Commerce office is located inside the Dreamweaver Real Estate office at 9917 Hwy 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579. (Mail address: P.O. Box 211, Rochester, WA 98579)
4. A map of Rochester showing where it is: http://www.2havefun.com/washington/maps/thurstoncounty.shtml
5. Copy of the front page of the County website: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/home/index.asp
Thurston County, Washington, is located at the southern end of Puget Sound in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Majestic Mount Rainier and the rugged Cascade Mountains are nearby to the east, while the Pacific Coast is just an hour's drive to the west. Home to more than 260,000 residents, Thurston County is 60 miles south of Seattle and 100 miles north of Portland, Oregon.
Quick Links
- How to Use This Site
- ADA Accommodations
- ARC
- Assessed Values
- Birth & Death Certificates
- Board of Equalization
- Boards & Commissions
- Bountiful Byway / Agritourism
- Budget
- County Commission Videos
- County History in Pictures
- Court Calendars
- Directions
- Document Library
- Elections
- Employee Services
- Flood Information
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- Jail Roster
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- Monthly Management Report
- News Releases & Legal Notices
- Property Taxes
- Public Records Requests
- RFP, RFQ, RFS Opportunities
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- Treatment Sales Tax
- Vendor Information
- Veterans' Assistance Program
- 2014-2018 Strategic Plan
- Question or Problem?
Hot Topics and Events
Change in the Way Thurston County Jurors are Summoned
Thurston County Superior Court is changing the way jury members are summoned.
More details here
Healthy Homes Training Starts Sept. 15
Join the Healthy Homes volunteer corps and learn how to get a healthier living space and reduce your family’s exposure to things like toxins, mold, and lead. Details on training course starting Sept. 15 Healthy Homes web page
Become a Recycling Volunteer
Join us for the Fall 2015 Master Recycler Composter Class and learn how to do good by being green. But hurry, applications are due by Sept. 15. MRC training news and details MRC Fall 2015 class application link
Back to School Immunizations Sept. 19
Get your child's Back-to-School immunizations at no cost on Sat, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. School immunization clinic details Public Health & Social Services Dept. homepage
Countywide Burn Ban
County officials have issued an outdoor burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Thurston County. The burn ban is in effect until further notice. Burn ban details
Chehalis Western Trail Closed at
Rainier Road SE
Construction work on the BNSF Railways train trestle near Rainier Road Southeast means a section of the Chehalis Western Trail will be closed for about 10 weeks starting Saturday, June 19. More Chehalis Western Trail closure details Map with trail closure detail
2015 Development Code Docket Items
The Official Docket of Development Code Amendments is a list of proposals that would amend Thurston County’s development and land use regulations. Sign up for the Planning Division’s Web Mail to get updates and meeting notices. Proposals that are currently being considered include: Consolidated Enforcement Code (Title 26) Marijuana Regulations Wetland Rating System amendments Quasi-Judicial Review Process amendments
Federal Review of Pipeline Expansion
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued a Draft EIS on a natural gas pipeline expansion project that includes a portion in eastern Thurston County. Comments will be accepted at a public meeting in Chehalis on Sept. 17. FERC DocketNo. CP13-507-000.
Sept. 17 public meeting notice and details FERC's Oct. 2013 project update brochure Map of Washington Expansion Project CP-13-507 www.ferc.gov
Recruiting - Civil Service
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is looking to fill a number of positions during 2015. Click here for more information.
6. Something in writing that says how many people live in Rochester: http://www.city-data.com/city/Rochester-Washington.html
| Males: 1,182 |  (49.5%) |
| Females: 1,206 |  (50.5%) |
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Rochester-Washington.html#ixzz3ljcxhaEP
7. A picture of any historical landmarks in Washington: http://www.dahp.wa.gov/blog/2012/09/northern-state-hospital-open-to-the-public-for-100th-anniversary/
8. A picture of your Congressman: http://mcdermott.house.gov/
9. A program of flyer for a local arts event: http://www.washingtoncountyfair.org/
10. The name of all the Washington State Commissioners: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/bocc/
 |
11. Something that give information about your local hospital: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/bocc/
We are a 127-bed, not for profit hospital providing emergency, diagnostic, cancer, birthing and surgical services. We also specialize in knee and hip replacements. Providence Centralia Hospital is committed to providing you the best possible medical outcome during your stay with us.
Award Winning Hospital
Providence Centralia is one of only 405 U.S. hospitals and critical access hospitals earning the distinction of top performer on key quality measures from The Joint Commission. We understand that what matters most to patients is safe, effective care. That’s why we have made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes.
12. A list of schools in Washington: http://www.greatschools.org/schools/districts/Washington/WA
A-Z
13. The phone number to the local police department: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/sheriff/
(360) 273-1034
Thurston County Sheriff's, Phone
14. Anything with colors of mascot of a local college of a community college: https://www.google.com/search?q=centralia+college+mascot&safe=active&biw=1920&bih=979&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI2-mDzcX5xwIVTDGICh25dAp-#safe=active&tbm=isch&q=centralia+college+mascot+trailblazer&imgrc=n1wz_m00tr92KM%3A
15. A picture of the state flag: https://www.sos.wa.gov/flag/download.aspx
16. A picture of the state bird: http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol/washington/state-bird/willow-goldfinch-american-goldfinch
17. A schedule of activity pamphlet from a local nursing home or senior citizen center: http://www.mcsac.net/activities-center.html
Every day, a tiny bit older, but every day a whole lot better . . .
that's the spirit behind the Mason County Senior Activities Center (the 50 and Better Activities Center), the new home for the expanding membership of the Mason County Senior Activities Association (MCSAA), the premier independent nonprofit
501(c)(3) association for Mason County area seniors since 1981.
Our approximately 1,000-plus members enjoy and enrich themselves through the dozens of activities, services, and classes offered through the 50 and Better Activities Center in our new location with ample parking at the historic Pavilion in Shelton.
Generous volunteers provide major source of skill and energy to serve, build, clean, greet -
A variety of opportunities are available, just ask.*
Membership open to anyone 50 . . . and better!
18. A sticker of button from a local election: http://irregulartimes.com/election2012shop.html
19. A list of safety tips from the local fire department: http://new.washingtoncity.org/publicsafety/index.php?sub=72hrkit
72-Hour Emergency Kit
Store these items in a sturdy, easy to carry container or large backpack and keep your kit in an easy to reach location. Don't throw it in the back of your closet where you may forget about it.
There are several basic items to begin with when building your disaster preparedness kit. These are the absolute necessities you would need in the event of any type of emergency. When compiling yours, start with these essential items:
- Water - Keep at least one gallon of water per person, per day. If you have a pet, be sure to set aside a gallon per day for your furry friend too.
- Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more. You also need two quarts for each person for food preparation and sanitation.
- Food - Store nonperishable food, high protein foods such as energy bars, canned fish or meat or peanut butter. Be sure these items do not require refrigeration, cooking and little to no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of Sterno and water-proof matches. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Don't forget your manual can opener, mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils! Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
- Canned juices
- Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
- High energy, high protein foods, i.e. energy bars, peanut butter
- Vitamins
- Food for infants
- Comfort/stress foods
- Flashlight, Batteries, Radio - Make sure you have either a battery operated or hand cranked radio. In the event of an emergency, you'll need to keep up with weather and emergency reports.
- First Aid Kit - Pack a few items that could be used to perform very basic first aid.
- (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
- (1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing.
- (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
- (2) triangular bandages.
- (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
- (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
- (1) roll 3" cohesive bandage.
- (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- (6) antiseptic wipes.
- (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
- Adhesive tape, 2" width.
- Anti-bacterial ointment.
- Cold pack.
- Scissors (small, personal).
- Tweezers.
- CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.
- Medication - Make sure you have all prescription and non-prescription medications you would need in times of disaster. Also the following non-prescription drugs:
- Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Antacid (for stomach upset)
- Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
- Laxative
- Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
- Extra Clothing and Bedding - Including a jacket and sturdy shoes.
- Sanitation Supplies - Toilet paper, soap, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, plastic garbage bags, plastic bucket with a tight lid, disinfectant, and household bleach.
- Important Family Documents (Copies) - Keep these records in a waterproof, zip-lock bag. Paper & pen.
- Map of your surrounding area - With possible shelters highlighted.
It is also a good idea to keep a smaller version of this kit in your car, school, place of work or anywhere you spend a lot of time and could become stranded. Remember to take inventory of all your kits every six months and update it as needed. Check to see if medications have expired and replace them as needed.
20. A speech by your governor:http://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/news-media/speeches/2015-state-state
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Madam Chief Justice, distinguished justices of the court, honored officials, members of the Washington State Legislature, tribal leaders, local government officials, members of the Consular Corps and my fellow Washingtonians.
Good afternoon. I want to begin today by thanking Oso chaplain Joel Johnson; the members of the Marysville Pilchuck High School Choir; my family members – especially Trudi; the 13 newest members of the Legislature who have stepped up to serve this state; and the people and communities of Washington that over the past 125 years have given us the great state we celebrate today.
I also want to mention a member of our legislative family, the late Representative Roger Freeman. He was proud to represent his community. But most of all, Roger was proud to be a father to his two children and a devoted husband to his wife, Sonya. Our thoughts are with them today.
The new representative from the 30th District is Carol Gregory, and I extend a warm welcome to her and thank her for her willingness to take on this work.
In our country's northwest corner, facing both the Pacific Ocean and the future, is the most innovative, most resourceful, most dynamic state in our nation.
We're known as the Evergreen State – not only because of our prodigious forests and the verdant green of our spring wheat, but also because of our ever-present entrepreneurial zeal, our social progress and our technological genius.
Washington state has remained evergreen throughout its first 125 years because in every moment of crisis, in every year of challenge, in every decade of change, Washingtonians have chosen the path that takes us forward.
We invest in ourselves. We invest in a legacy worthy of our children and grandchildren.
We have done this, time and time again, with the firm conviction that our people, our communities and our economy will grow and prosper if we summon the confidence to make these investments.
Today, our state stands at another crossroads.
One path leads to an economy that works for all Washingtonians, supports thriving communities and preserves a healthy environment. The other path leads to a slow erosion of our shared prosperity, a widening gap of inequality and a deterioration of our clean air and water.
The choice is ours. If we rise to the challenge, as we always have, we will choose the best path for Washington.
As you know, from day one I've focused on job creation in our state, and the issues we'll talk about today – education, transportation, clean energy – all work together to build an economy that works for everyone.
It should please us all to know that our economy continues to rebound. Our state has added 150,000 jobs over the past two years.
But that growth has not been shared equally, either geographically or across the economic spectrum.
The right path for Washington is an economy that provides opportunity for all.
We know that expanding educational opportunities, launching a transportation construction program and fighting carbon pollution will put us on the right course.
Our most fundamental commitment needs to be to the very youngest Washingtonians. We know the greatest untapped asset in the state is the potential of a 3- and 4-year-old. The latest neuroscience research at the University of Washington shows that at this age, children's minds have a tremendous capacity for learning.
Early learning is the best investment we can make in our future.
That's where we start. But our success will require a continuum of education, from early learning all the way through higher education. That's why my proposal makes a $2.3 billion investment in our children's future, including the largest-ever state investment in early learning. This means 6,000 more low-income children could attend high-quality preschools.
My proposal fully funds class-size reductions in kindergarten through third grade. My proposal provides all-day kindergarten across the state. It gives our teachers their first cost-of-living allowance since 2008. It helps families struggling with the costs of higher education by freezing tuition and boosting financial aid so that 17,000 more students can get scholarships.
These investments are not based on wishful thinking. They are based on a rock-solid foundation of proven strategies, established reforms and demonstrable student performance.
We know what works.
We know what it takes.
I have visited a lot of classrooms in the past two years. And I have been continually impressed by the great teaching and innovative learning I've seen.
And these opportunities must be available for all our children, at all our schools. Because let me tell you, we have whip-smart kids ready for takeoff.
But the future demands a higher level of achievement.
Investing in STEM and workforce training pays off in attracting the most innovative companies on the planet. Today we can celebrate Elon Musk's announced plans to open a Space X engineering center in Washington with the potential to hire up to 1,000 people.
We know that a child spends an average of six hours a day in the school building. We also know what children need in those other 18 hours. Every morning, they need to start the day with nutritious food in their bellies. They need a way to get to school safely. They need a coat to protect them from the elements as they get to and from school. And at night, they need a warm, safe, stable place to sleep with a roof over their heads.
The budget we agree on should nurture all our students, in and out of the classroom, because we know how hard it is to educate a homeless, hungry, sick child.
Our families and our communities also need the vital services that allow them to function – nurses, mental health facilities, police officers and firefighters – the full range of services that help make Washington a great place to live and raise a family.
We've been cutting those services to balance our budget, and it's no longer working. Over the past six years, we've cut existing and projected spending in our state budget by $12 billion.
Make no mistake: We've found savings and efficiencies as well. Among other examples, we're saving an average of $1.6 million annually on leasing costs. The Department of Social and Health Services saved $3.5 million in energy costs in 2013 alone. And we're saving $2 million a year in long-distance charges through a new service.
We need to continue this work.
But we've reached the place where multiple courts have said we cut too much or neglected to fund adequately and have now ordered us to do a better job on foster care, mental health and protecting vulnerable children.
I know some people say they haven't noticed the cuts.
Let me tell you: The man handcuffed to a gurney in an emergency room due to lack of beds in a mental health ward ... he notices. The woman who was a victim of domestic violence and couldn't get emergency housing ... she notices. The college students whose tuition went up 50 percent ... they sure notice.
What can seem invisible to some of us is painfully real to others.
In the prosperous future we all want, we cannot leave so many people behind.
Some see the road ahead paved only with cuts to services. Some consider only revenue as options. Both camps will ultimately realize that neither view is the definitive answer.
We're going to approach our work with a bold spirit of seeking solutions rather than finding excuses, and a can-do attitude of kicking aside our differences instead of kicking the can down the road.
The same is true with transportation.
Without action, there will be a 52 percent cut in the maintenance budget, and 71 bridges will become structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Without action, commute times will continue to rise, robbing us of time with our families. Without action, our ability to move goods efficiently will be diminished.
The tragic and catastrophic landslide in Snohomish County last year reminds us that entire communities are cut off from the rest of the state when we lose transportation infrastructure.
But now imagine a transportation system that moves the entire state forward. One that improves reliability and safety, addresses congestion and maintenance, creates jobs and offers more choices.
As you know, I've been working for a balanced, multimodal transportation package since my first day in office. In December,I proposed a plan that builds on the bipartisan spirit of past efforts by offering a good-faith compromise to spark action this legislative session.
It keeps us safe by fixing our bridges, patching our roads and cleaning our air and water. It also embraces efficiency, saves time and money, and drives results that the public can trust through real reform. Finally, it's a plan that delivers a transportation system that truly works as a system. A system that transcends our old divides and rivalries. No more east versus west, urban versus rural or roads versus transit.
Now I welcome your suggestions for improvement. But the state cannot accept a continued failure to move on transportation.
Let's get this done.
There's another thing my transportation plan does. It institutes acarbon pollution charge that would have our largest polluters pay rather than raising the gas tax on everyone. Under my plan, it's the polluters who pay.
We face many challenges, but it is the growing threat of carbon pollution that can permanently change the nature of Washington as we know it.
It's already increasing the acidity of our waters, increasing wildfires and increasing asthma rates in our children, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color.
We have a moral obligation to act. Our moral duty is to protect a birthright. Future Washingtonians deserve to a healthy Washington.
Every generation has the duty to pass on healthy air and water to the next. And when we do, we will know that although we are a small part of the world, we are 7 million Washingtonians strong who stand for preserving the grandeur of our state. If we don't stand up for the health of the state, who will?
The people who are less than 1 percent of the world are leading the world in aerospace, leading the world in software and now can lead the world in clean energy, because that's who we are.
What we lack in numbers, we more than make up for in our innovative spirit.
And we are not acting alone. By next year, countries and states that are responsible for half the world's carbon pollution will have instituted limits on those emissions. And when we act together with other states and nations, we can do something even bigger. By locking arms with Oregon, California and British Columbia through the Pacific Coast Collaborative, we become a region of 53 million people comprising the world's fifth-largest economy. Won't it be great when the West Coast leads, while Washington DC is stymied by gridlock?
I am pleased there is a growing consensus that it is time to act. We must meet the carbon pollution limits enacted by this body in 2008. I have proposed a comprehensive solution that caps carbon emissions, creates incentives for clean technology and transportation, invests in energy efficiency and makes our own government operations more efficient.
For all we do here together in the next few months, for all our fiscal woes, for all our short-term demands, we know that the most enduring legacy we can leave is a healthy, clean, beautiful Evergreen State.
I will not, and in the deepest part of my heart I hope you will not allow this threat to stand.
We also know the challenge of carbon pollution brings great economic opportunities for our state.
I've seen companies in Washington moving full steam ahead to seize these opportunities and create jobs: At Itek in Bellingham, which is not only one of our state's largest solar panel manufacturers, but produces the most powerful solar panels in the industry. At UniEnergy in Mukilteo, where its groundbreaking vanadium flow battery is leading the way in the field of storage technologies for renewable energy. And at MacDonald-Miller, which is not only reducing the carbon footprint of commercial buildings, but last year added 300 jobs to our state.
We are leaders in this state. When we act, others follow. Let's shape that action together. Let's test our ideas. Let's fashion a Washington carbon pollution action plan suited to the genius and leadership capabilities of our great state.
We can do this. It's already been done successfully in many other places, including 10 states and 35 countries.
I can't tell you today what our joint efforts will produce, but I can say that after six years of no progress on this front, Washingtonians deserve action on carbon pollution.
In developing my budget, I took the same approach to looking to tested solutions in developing revenue proposals this year.
Here's the sad truth: Washington has the nation's most unfair tax system. The nation's most unfair tax system.
Our lowest-paid workers pay nearly 17 percent of their income in taxes while the top 1 percent pay less than 3 percent. A new teacher pays three times more in taxes as a percentage than our wealthiest citizens.
We know there are many forces driving inequality, but we can make policy choices that move us toward an economy that works for all Washingtonians. We can work toward a fairer tax system, and we should.
That's why I am proposing to eliminate five tax loopholes that no longer measure up when compared with educating our kids.
That's why we're asking the wealthiest Washingtonians to do a little more. I am proposing a new capital gains tax on the sale of stocks, bonds and other assets. It is estimated that less than 1 percent of the state's taxpayers would be affected. This exempts any capital gains on retirement accounts, homes, farms and forestry.
As I mentioned, this is new to us, but certainly not a new concept nationally. Forty-one states have this system already.
And here's something else we can do to bring a modicum of fairness to our tax system – a system that relies so heavily on sales tax revenue and affects our working families so disproportionally. I am proposing we fund the Working Families Tax Rebate, which was passed by the Legislature in 2008 but never funded. This could help more than 500,000 working families in Washington, mostly in rural and economically struggling counties.
I've always believed that if you work full time, you should be able to provide for your family's most basic needs. That's why I will continue to work with legislators to help working families through polices such as a minimum wage increase and paid sick leave.
So we begin this 64th legislative session at a crossroads.
The time of recession and hollowing out is behind us. It is now time for reinvestment. I have a deep and abiding belief in our ability to lead the world and to build on our first 125 years.
That is why we should choose the upward path that leads to more opportunity, greater prosperity and a better quality of life for everyone.
Let's walk this path together.
We can make this choice with the full confidence that there are no better people to invest in than Washingtonians, there is no better place to invest in than Washington and there is no better time to invest than 2015.
So let's get to work.
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