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Chairman Phil Mendelson

@chairmanmendelson.com
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The Official Bluesky account of DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson

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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 11h
The Council is taking RFP's for experienced contractors who can conduct mixed methods analyses of educator accountability & compensation incentive frameworks. ▶️Full RFP: dccouncil.gov ▶️This Request will close on Oct 29 @ 4pm ▶️Questions? Email devans@dccouncil.gov
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 22/09/2026
The Council is back from recess for our Legislative and Committee of the Whole meetings. Here's a look at some of the items to be voted on today along with upcoming COW hearings.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 21/09/2026
Thank you to everyone who came out for my Meet Up with Mendo in Ward 6. We had some in-depth discussions about education, the environment (including the rat problem), and permitting issues for businesses. Be on the lookout for next month's date/location in Ward 4.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 19/09/2026
ICYMI we’re in Ward 6 this morning!!
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 14/09/2026
The Council is back from recess and it's time for my monthly Meet Up with Mendo! Stop by CIVIC. on Eighth in Ward 6 to talk about any and everything happening in the District. 📅 Saturday September 19 🕙 10am - 12pm 📍CIVIC. on Eighth (501 8th Street SE)
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 11/09/2026
Today we commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. We remember those lost in the tragedies and we recognize the commitment of the brave DC first responders who ran towards the danger that day.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 21/08/2026
We had a lovely day at the National Building Museum exhibit The Playground! Young people and those who are young at heart should come check it out before August 30th!
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 28/07/2026
Thank you to the more than 20 residents who came out to Point Chaud Café & Crêpes in Ward 3 for Saturday’s Meet Up with Mendo. Residents shared concerns and ideas about parks, rodent control, removing the National guard and strengthening the local business district.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 25/07/2026
Don’t forget to come out to Ward 3 this morning for this month’s Meet up with Mendo! 📅 TODAY! 🕙 10am-12pm 📍 Point Chaud Café - 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 24/07/2026
I misunderstood Tom’s question and I now realize I answered it incorrectly. I have made no decisions about next year’s committees.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 22/07/2026
Congratulations to the young people who graduated from the Maya Angelou Academies today! 🎓 It's meaningful that these students, who've managed to make some mistakes, are taking an important step to turn their lives around.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 21/07/2026
Yesterday I wrote a letter to Rep. Comer opposing tomorrow's meeting to adopt the "DC Taxing Authority Review Act." Congress already has the authority to disapprove tax increases adopted by the Council. The bill would straightjacket the District and paralyze our tax code. My full letter below:
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 20/07/2026
It's time for my July Meet Up with Mendo! Stop by Point Chaud Café & Crêpes in Ward 3 to talk about any and everything happening in the District. The Council is on recess but the work does not stop! 📅 Saturday July 25 🕙 10am-12pm 📍 Point Chaud Café - 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 23/06/2026
I appreciate that building and protecting the reserve funds is the CFO's policy view, but the CFO does not have the authority to make a policy decision that the Council may not use local reserves to support appropriations. My full letter below or at: chairmanmendelson.com/wp-content/u...
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Reposted by Chairman Phil Mendelson
DC Council @councilofdc.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Happy #Juneteenth National Independence Day from the DC Council! Here’s the Council's 2003 resolution on #Juneteenth (introduced by @chmnmendelson.bsky.social) bit.ly/4xDJfP3 (#DCEmancipationDay is April 16 & is a DC state holiday. DC’s enslaved people were freed in 1862)
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 13/06/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us today at Zeke's Coffee in Ward 4 for another great #MeetUpWithMendo! Residents, community organization and advocates shared their thoughts on education, childcare, planning issues, request for a new BID and the proposed Trump Arch development.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 12/06/2026
ICYMI -- Stop by my Meet Up at Zeke's Coffee on 14th Street tomorrow to chat about any and all things DC!! See you tomorrow!
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 08/06/2026
Chairman Mendelson's Budget Recommendations have been circulated on the Council Hearing Management System. The documents are available here: lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea... Tune in to the Media Press Conference on the Budget at Noon on chairmanmendelson.com or on the Council website.
lims.dccouncil.gov
DC Council Hearings Management System
View Hearings, Register to Witness, Submit Testimony
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 08/06/2026
This month's Meet Up with Mendo is coming to Ward 4! Stop by @zekescoffeedc.bsky.social (Uptown location) to chat with me about any and everything happening in the District. 📅 Saturday June 13th 🕙10am - 12pm ☕️ Zeke's Coffee (4602 14th Street NW)
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 01/06/2026
This month we continue our ongoing commitment to supporting and highlighting the LGBTQ+ community and its vital contributions to the District’s rich, vibrant and diverse history. We know how important their voices are and we will always stand up for this community. Happy 51st DC Pride!🏳️‍🌈
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 22/05/2026
I spent the morning guest lecturing in Mr. Ackerman's DC History and US Government class at School Without Walls HS. We had lots of interesting discussion about Home Rule and the federal government's impact on DC. We also talked about the responsibilities of elected leaders. Thank you for having me!
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 15/05/2026
🚨ICYMI🚨 Don't forget to stop by Tryst DC in Ward 1 tomorrow for my Meet Up with Mendo!
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 12/05/2026
My May monthly Meet Up with Mendo is in Ward 1! I'll be at Tryst DC, so stop by and chat with me about any and everything happening in the District -- including the upcoming FY27 budget. 📅 Saturday May 16th 🕙10am - 12pm 📍 Tryst DC - 2459 18th Street NW
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 06/05/2026
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🍎📚✂️🎓✏️
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 04/05/2026
We're live NOW! Tune in: chairmanmendelson.com/live
chairmanmendelson.com
Live Events – Chairman Phil Mendelson
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 18/04/2026
Thank you to everyone who came to Bryant Street Market for today’s Meet Up with Mendo. We had some productive discussions including lots of talk about this year’s budget. Agency personnel from OSSE @dcpolicedept.bsky.social and DC Office of Cable Television stopped by to answer some questions!
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 17/04/2026
Don't forget tomorrow's Meet Up with Mendo will be held in Ward 5! Stop by Bryant Street Market and chat with me about any and everything happening in the District -- including the upcoming FY27 budget. 📅 SATURDAY April 18 🕙10a-12p 📍Bryant St Market - 670 Rhode Island Ave NE
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 13/04/2026
The April monthly Meet Up with Mendo is coming to Ward 5! Visit Bryant Street Market and chat with me about any and everything happening in the District -- including the upcoming FY27 budget. 📅 April 18th 🕙 10am - 12pm 📍Bryant Street Market - 670 Rhode Island Ave. NE
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 26/03/2026
Tonight is my first Tax Town Hall! We'll be virtual and staff from @MyTaxDC will join us to help answer your questions. 📨Email ChairmanCS@dccouncil.gov to receive a link to the virtual session!
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 24/03/2026
This week I'm hosting my annual Tax Town Halls. The DC Office of Tax and Revenue will join our info session on property tax assessments and the appeals process. 💻VIRTUAL March 26 6-8pm Email ChairmanCS@dccouncil.gov to RSVP 📍IN PERSON March 28 10a-12pm UDC Student Center 4200 Conn. Ave NW Room A01
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 18/03/2026
The Council sent a letter to the Hill expressing our strong opposition to HR 5242. This bill will erode recent advances in traffic safety and put DC residents and visitors at risk. These restrictions will inevitably lead to more speeding, dangerous driving, and more serious injuries on our roads.
In recent years, major injuries and traffic fatalities have decreased significantly across the District. H.R. 5242 threatens to take us backwards by preventing us from deploying traffic cameras and enforcing restrictions on right turns. Enactment of these restrictions will inevitably lead to more speeding, more dangerous driving, and more serious injuries on our roads. Without cameras to assist in traffic enforcement, our local police will need to spend more time on traffic safety, diverting them from other important public safety responsibilities. A ban on cameras will also short-circuit recent successes by the District’s Attorney General in holding the most dangerous drivers accountable in court. Some of these drivers have been caught on camera committing serious traffic violations hundreds of times. This ban on enforcement of right-turn restrictions will especially endanger pedestrians, many of whom are constituents of Committee members visiting  from around the country.Around 85 percent of visitors to the District never drive a car
here; they walk to attractions, restaurants, and events. Our restrictions on right turns have led to
a decline of more than 90 percent in drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at certain intersections
that have been analyzed. Banning the District from implementing pedestrian protections
threatens this progress.
Thank you for your interest in these issues. We hope the Committee will consider the
real-world consequences of this legislation for the thousands of residents and your constituents
who rely on the safety of our streets every day. We welcome the opportunity to continue a
dialogue on this issue and remain committed to working with Congress to ensure that the District
can continue building safer streets for all who live in and visit our nation's capital.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 16/03/2026
Make sure you, your loved ones and your neighbors are prepared for severe storms expected today.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 16/03/2026
My monthly Meet Up with Mendo is coming to Ward 7! Stop by Miss Toya's Southern Kitchen in southeast DC to chat with me about any and everything happening in the District. We will provide coffee and donuts as the kitchen won't be open until 11am. 🗓️ March 21 🕙 10a-12p 📍 3216 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 11/03/2026
I visited the new Makerspace at Center City PCS today -- it’s a fascinating and impressive facility! I got the chance to check out lots of experiential and project-based learning activities, and even joined a student-run podcast. I'm excited to see what this space can do for District students.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 04/03/2026
I appreciate that the CFO has brought certainty for District taxpayers. Residents should continue to file their taxes for tax year 2025 as usual.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 20/02/2026
🚨IN CASE YOU MISSED IT🚨My Monthly Meet Up with Mendo on Saturday will begin at a new time: 1pm! Make sure to stop by Sweet Tooth Cafe in Ward 8 and chat with me about any and everything happening in the District. 🗓️ SATURDAY 🕙 1pm-3pm 📍 Sweet Tooth Cafe - 2323 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 09/02/2026
This week the Committee of the Whole is kicking off Performance Oversight Hearings. Check out the schedule. Stream live at ChairmanMendelson.com/live Visit lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings/ for submitted testimony, witness lists and to sign up to testify.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 05/02/2026
The layoffs and cuts happening at the Washington Post are a disgrace to journalism and an affront to truth-telling. I’m especially disappointed that the local news this region has relied upon has been gutted. My heart goes out to all those impacted.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 03/02/2026
Mayor Bowser and I sent a letter to Hill leadership opposing the disapproval resolutions scheduled for votes in the House and Senate in the coming days. The disapproval would wreak havoc on the District and it's residents. Read the letter and some facts on why we oppose the disapproval resolutions:
Disapproval would wreak havoc on tax filings already underway in the District of Columbia - in effect "changing the rules in the middle of the game." Early taxpayers would have to re-file. All instruction materials would instantly become inaccurate. It would take at least another month to correct and re-publish them.

Decoupling certain provisions of the local tax code from the federal tax code will retain approximately $600 million in local dollars for the District. This is roughly the same amount that the District is being asked, by Maryland and Virginia, to pay as an increase in its contribution to the regional public transportation system, WMATA.

The Council's action - decoupling - is not unique to the District. Last fall, 12 states (including Alabama, Colorado, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) decoupled from various parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Decoupling is not the same as raising taxes. Rather, it maintains the status quo for taxpayers regarding local taxes. On the local level, nothing changes, while taxpayers may realize a reduction in their tax liability on the federal level.

Congressional intervention in DC tax policy will have a negative impact on the District's bond rating. Rating agencies have explicitly cited Congressional intervention, such as last March's CR which sequestered a portion of D.C. revenues, as a negative factor that lowered the District from Triple-A. 

The Council's action was not meant as a rebuke or rejection of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3). Rather, it was meant to avoid local revenue losses. Of the 84 tax-related provisions in OB3, only 14 are decoupled.

Adopting the disapproval resolutions will have absolutely no effect on the federal budget or federal operations. It will only hurt the District.
We write to express our strong opposition to Joint Resolution of Disapproval H.J. Res. 142 and Joint Resolution of Disapproval S.J. Res. 102. These resolutions are an intrusion on the District’s Home
Rule authority and would have major and immediate impacts on tax administration in the District. We
very strongly urge you and your colleagues to oppose these resolutions.
The District of Columbia is one of many jurisdictions across the Nation that routinely modifies its local
tax code in accordance with federal tax laws, including choosing to decouple from federal tax changes
to address local concerns or mitigate projected fiscal impacts. At the end of last year, multiple states
and the District decided to decouple their tax codes from some provisions of H.R. 1. While the District
adopted the majority of H.R. 1 provisions, a small number were temporarily set aside. These decisions
were made through the District’s legislative process and are the same type of policy judgments that
every state and local government routinely makes on behalf of their residents.
The timing of these resolutions are especially problematic. The District is already a month into the
2026 tax year and has begun accepting and processing tax returns. Disapproval at this stage would
create huge administrative challenges, require taxpayers to re-file their taxes, render existing guidance
and forms obsolete, and necessitate rapid mid-year changes to tax administration systems. It is unclear
how quickly commercial tax preparation software could be updated to accommodate such changes,
and District residents and businesses would likely experience confusion, as well as delays. The
resolutions would lead to the District’s income tax filing deadlines to be pushed to Fall 2026 and would
cause millions of dollars in additional expenses.
We strongly urge you to oppose the disapproval resolutions and to respect the District’s governance of
its local fiscal affairs.
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Reposted by Chairman Phil Mendelson
DC Council @councilofdc.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Watch live now Chairman Mendelson holds his traditional Legislative Meeting eve media briefing, discussing the following day’s agendas & other topics of the day Agendas dccouncil.gov/how-to-watch-our-febr… Watch chairmanmendelson.com/live/
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 27/01/2026
I appreciate the years of service that Congresswoman Norton has given to the District and its citizens. This is a moment for reflection on all that she has done and all that she has contributed. I thank her for her service and look forward to continue working with her through the rest of this year.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 23/01/2026
As winter weather approaches, make sure you're ready!
Shoveling & Salt *Shovel early and often, before snow becomes icy *a little salt goes a long way (just a 12oz mug covers 20 ft of concrete Protect Your Pipes *wrap pipes with insulation or newspaper if they are exposed to cold air Prep your supplies *extra food and water *warm layers, blankets *comfort items for kids like books and games. Safely Heating Your Home *Never leave a fireplace unattended *Make sure you have working smoke alarms + carbon monoxide detector *Keep items at least 3 feet away from space heaters, fireplaces + other heat sources *Never heat your home with a cooking oven or stove Calling for Help During hypothermia season, the Shelter Hotline is available 24/7. If you need help or see someone outside who needs shelter or a welfare check, please call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or dial 311. If there is an immediate risk to safety, call 911. cold.dc.gov for info on shelters  Visit snow.dc.gov or snow.dc.gov for more info
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 22/01/2026
My monthly Meet Up with Mendo will be in Ward 2 this weekend! Come out to @bakery_tatte in Georgetown to chat with me about any and everything happening in the District. ALL residents are welcome! 🗓️SATURDAY 🕙10am-11:30am 📍 1545 Wisconsin Ave NW, Georgetown
You're invited to a Meet Up with Mendo. Join DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to chat about any and everything happening in the District. ALL residents are welcome!

SATURDAY
10am-11:30am 
Tatte's Georgetown Location at 1545 Wisconsin Ave NW
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 20/01/2026
It’s an honor and a pleasure to welcome our 13th Councilmember, Doni Crawford. She brings a fresh perspective, coupled with experience. Couldn’t ask for better. Congratulations!
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 20/01/2026
Today we honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual Peace Walk. Thank you to everyone who joined me.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 08/01/2026
Everyday our public safety officers go to work not knowing what might happen. There’s always a risk. Officer Bennett lost his life serving this city. His colleagues, and especially his family, have my deepest condolences.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 29/11/2025
Today I got a preview of the new Fort Dupont Ice rink. Although it was supposed to open this past summer, we’re looking forward to the community getting to use this new facility soon. The ribbon cutting will take place next Saturday at 11am.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 27/11/2025
May gratitude find you wherever you are. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 26/11/2025
I’m shocked at this terrible attack. Violence of any kind is totally unacceptable. National Guard should not be targets. My prayers go to the families of these service members.
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Chairman Phil Mendelson @chairmanmendelson.com · 21/11/2025
ICYMI -- My monthly Meet Up with Mendo will be in Ward 6 TOMORROW! Come out to Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe in Penn Quarter to chat with me about any and everything happening in the District. 📅 SATURDAY 🕙 10am-12pm 📍555 Pennsylvania Ave NW (Penn Quarter)
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