Boise
Idaho
Idaho Governor Brad Little
About the Governor:
The people of Idaho elected Brad Little to be their Governor in November of 2018 and reelected him in November of 2022. He has served as Idaho's 33rd Governor since January 7, 2019.
Governor Little is an Emmett native who was raised on his family's sheep and cattle ranching operation. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, and has worked in the ranching industry for his entire professional life. In 1978, Brad had good fortune and married Teresa Soulen of Weiser.
Teresa and Brad are the proud parents of two sons who have wonderful wives – Adam and Angela, and David and Kelsey. They have six beautiful grandchildren.
Governor Little has a heart for public service. He first served in public office in 2001 when he was selected to fill a Senate vacancy. He was then elected to four consecutive terms to the Idaho Senate. During his service as a Senator, Brad was elected by his Republican peers during his first full term to serve in Party leadership as Majority Caucus Chair. He then served as Idaho's 37th Lt. Governor starting on January 6, 2009.
Governor Little is committed to making decisions through one lens: the lens of ensuring Idaho's children and grandchildren have the best opportunities to stay in Idaho and for the ones who have left to choose to return. His time as Governor has been marked by historic investments in education and infrastructure and unprecedented tax relief.
Governor Little has advocated his whole life for limited government, and Idaho achieved the title "least regulated state" during his first term. He works to ensure the lightest possible hand of government in the lives of Idaho's citizens, and he seeks to build the public's confidence in state government.
Recent News
Idaho City to host Governor Little’s ‘Capital for a Day’ Event
Boise, ID – Governor Brad Little’s next “Capital for a Day” event will be held in Idaho City on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ray Robinson Community Hall, located at 206 W. Commercial St. Officials joining Governor…
Read More »Gov. Little Orders Flags to be Lowered to Half-Staff to Honor Fallen Ada County Deputy Tobin Bolter
Boise, ID - Governor Brad Little ordered U.S. flags and State of Idaho flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor Ada County Deputy Tobin Bolter who was shot and killed in the line of duty. Flags shall be flown at half-staff immediately until the…
Read More »Gov. Little Comments on Idaho's Strengthening Economy
Boise, ID - The Idaho Department of Labor announced April 19, 2024 that Idaho led the nation in year-over-year nonfarm job growth for the month of March and that Idaho’s labor force continues to grow. Idaho also came in second place for best…
Read More »Gov. Little Issues Half-Staff Flag Directive in Honor of Representative Sue Chew
Boise, ID - Governor Brad Little has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Representative Sue Chew who passed away Wednesday after her battle with cancer. “Representative Sue Chew was one of the state’s longest serving…
Read More »Governor Little Applauds Historic Investments in Schools, Workforce Training During 2024 Legislative Session
The Idaho Legislature adjourned “sine die” today, and Governor Brad Little thanked his legislative partners from across the political spectrum for their support of 99% of his IDAHO WORKS plan. Notably, the Legislature passed Governor…
Read More »State Police Troopers Deploy to Texas to Boost Border Security Efforts
Boise, ID - Two teams of Idaho State Police (ISP) troopers headed out today on a three-week deployment to help the State of Texas secure the U.S.-Mexico border. The send-off for ISP took place this morning in front of the Idaho Capitol after…
Read More »Governor Little appoints Ross Pittman to First Judicial District
Boise, ID - Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of Ross Pittman as District Judge to the First Judicial District. Pittman is a Magistrate Judge in Kootenai County, serving since 2020. He currently presides over the Kootenai County…
Read More »Opinion: By Shortchanging Veterans Homes, Biden's VA Has Failed Our Veterans
OPINION By Shortchanging Veterans Homes, Biden’s VA Has Failed Our Veterans By Governor Brad Little U.S. Senator Mike Crapo U.S. Senator Jim Risch U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher As elected leaders who…
Read More »Idaho sues feds on grizzly delisting
Boise, Idaho – The State of Idaho sent notice of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today over the Biden Administration’s failure to remove grizzly bears from the endangered species list. “Idaho’s…
Read More »Gov. Little marks Fentanyl Awareness Day, readies for Texas border mission
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little highlighted National Fentanyl Awareness Day at Kuna High School today to share information with our youth about the dangers of this increasingly accessible deadly drug. He was joined by Tarina Taylor, the…
Read More »Idaho is training loggers to fight forest fires
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little proclaimed the month of May as Wildfire Awareness Month, and as the State of Idaho actively gears up for fire season, the Governor’s administration is teaming up with loggers to better fight wildfires…
Read More »Idaho stops millions in tax fraud
Boise, Idaho – Idaho has delivered more tax relief per capita than any other state while stopping scammers from stealing millions from Idaho taxpayers. Thieves try to use stolen identities to file bogus tax returns so they can try to get…
Read More »Gov. Little marks "100 Days of Achievement"
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little wrapped up the first 100 days of his second term as Idaho’s 33rd Governor last week, noting historic achievements in education, infrastructure investments, and tax relief. “Idaho’s…
Read More »Gov. Little applauds productive legislative session
Boise, Idaho – The Idaho Legislature adjourned “sine die” today, and Governor Brad Little thanked his legislative partners for working with him to advance his “Idaho First” plan this session. The Idaho Legislature…
Read More »OPINION: Working together, we got simple property tax relief done right
By Governor Brad Little No other state has given back more taxpayer money per capita than Idaho. We’ve turned back $2.7 billion in tax cuts to Idahoans just in the past three years. It’s a feather in our cap, an achievement…
Read More »Idaho Further Advances Education Freedom
Boise, Idaho – Idaho parents have even more school choice options on top of a long list of education alternatives in the State of Idaho after Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1125 into law this week. Senate Bill 1125 allows parents to…
Read More »Gov. Little champions simpler property tax relief for Idahoans
Boise, Idaho – Enduring property tax relief is on its way to Idahoans after the Idaho Legislature passed a simpler package of property tax relief bills following Governor Brad Little’s veto of House Bill 292 earlier this week. In his…
Read More »Gov. Little: "Let's get property tax relief done right."
Boise, Idaho – Governor Little vetoed House Bill 292 today, the so-called “property tax relief” bill passed by the Legislature. “Idaho stands apart from every other state because we focus on making taxes fair, simple,…
Read More »Gov. Little applauds Senate passage of Launch to train students for in-demand careers
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little issued the following statement today applauding the Idaho Senate for its passage of House Bill 24, known as “Launch,” the Governor’s proposed solution to getting Idaho students trained for…
Read More »JFAC advances Governor's recommended rainy-day fund transfers, new reserve funds for fire suppression
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee advancing his recommendations today to bolster Idaho’s rainy-day funds and pre-pay the state’s fire suppression fund, both good…
Read More »Gov. Little signs 'Idaho First' broadband investments into law
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1129 into law today, adding another $125 million to improve broadband infrastructure throughout the state as part of his “Idaho First” plan. Another $100 million is nearing…
Read More »Gov. Little signs "Idaho First" broadband investments into law
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1129 into law today, adding another $125 million to improve broadband infrastructure throughout the state as part of his “Idaho First” plan. Another $100 million is nearing…
Read More »JFAC advances Governor's recommendation for improved water infrastructure
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little applauded the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee after its Wednesday vote to advance the Governor’s budget recommendation for improved water infrastructure across Idaho. The recommendation…
Read More »JFAC advances Governor's recommendation for outdoor recreation
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today after the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee voted to advance $100 million for outdoor recreation, part of the Governor’s IDAHO FIRST plan. “I appreciate JFAC for…
Read More »JFAC advances Governor's transportation budget recommendation
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented on the action by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee today to advance his recommended budget for transportation infrastructure “For three straight years, we have put record…
Read More »JFAC advances Governor's public schools budget recommendation
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today on the passage of his K-12 budget recommendation in the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee this morning. “THANK YOU to JFAC for your support of our public schools this morning!…
Read More »JFAC advances Governor's building maintenance budget recommendation
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today on the Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee’s action to advance his recommendation for another $300 million to address the known deferred maintenance deficit for state owned…
Read More »Gov. Little speaks at CPAC on restoring America's energy dominance
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little returned from Washington, D.C., earlier this month after speaking on a panel at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). CPAC is the “largest and most influential gathering of…
Read More »Gooding to host Governor Little's 'Capital for a Day' event
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little’s next “Capital for a Day” event will be held in Gooding on March 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gooding Basque Center, located at 285 Euskadi Lane. Members of the Governor’s…
Read More »Gov. Little announces appointments to Idaho Park and Recreation Board
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of Charles “Chuck” Roady, Hugh Cooke, and Amy Manning to the Idaho Park and Recreation Board. The board is comprised of six gubernatorially appointed members…
Read More »Public events set to honor the life of Governor Phil Batt
Boise, Idaho – The Governor’s Office provided updated information today on public events set to honor the life and public service of Governor Phil Batt, who passed away March 4 on his 96th birthday. Thursday, March 9 10 a.m. –…
Read More »Gov. Little orders lowering of flags to honor former Idaho Gov. Phil Batt
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little ordered the immediate lowering of U.S. and State of Idaho flags to honor former Governor Phil Batt, who passed away peacefully at his home today, on his 96th birthday. “Governor Phil Batt was the…
Read More »Idaho leaders announce Parent Advisory Council for Empowering Parents grant program
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little joined legislators and Idaho education leaders today in announcing the establishment of the new Parent Advisory Council for the popular Empowering Parents grant program and encouraged Idaho parents to apply…
Read More »OPINION: Defending state sovereignty over land, water, wildlife is in Idaho's DNA
In Idaho, fighting the feds is in our DNA. We’re proud of a long history of protecting our state’s sovereignty over our land, water, and wildlife, and in the past month alone we’ve stepped up and demonstrated yet again our…
Read More »Governors: "President Biden owes the American people answers"
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little and 16 other Republican Governors released the following joint statement today in response to President Biden’s handling of foreign objects in American airspace. “The violation of American…
Read More »Gov. Little to visit with high schoolers about proposed Launch workforce training program
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little will visit with high school students in Kuna, Twin Falls, and Rigby Thursday to reinforce the benefits of the proposed Launch workforce training program. The program would make available $8,500 to…
Read More »Bruneau to host Governor Little's 'Capital for a Day' event
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little’s next “Capital for a Day” event will be held in Bruneau on February 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post #83, located at 32536 Belle. Officials joining Governor Little…
Read More »Gov. Little, Republican Governors praise Gov. Sanders' solutions-based message to nation
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little and Republican governors released the following joint statement following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address Tuesday: “Tonight, Governor Sanders showed that while Washington is…
Read More »Gov. Little notifies Biden Administration of Idaho's intent to sue on grizzly delisting
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little notified the Biden Administration today of his intention to sue the federal government for its failure to uphold the law and make a required finding on the State of Idaho’s petition to remove grizzly…
Read More »Wall Street Journal Highlights Idaho's Historic Tax Cuts
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today on The Wall Street Journal editorial board’s piece highlighting Idaho’s historic tax cuts. “The Idaho Legislature and I have worked together to achieve historic tax cuts…
Read More »Gov. Little Leads Governors in opposing Biden's EPA Waters Rule
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little is leading 24 other Republican Governors in opposing the Biden Administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and called on President Joe Biden today to delay implementation of the rule…
Read More »Idaho Wins Lawsuit, Protects Life And Property From Illegal Encampments
Idaho Wins Lawsuit, Protects Life And Property From Illegal Encampments Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little was victorious in winning a lawsuit stemming from an encampment on the Capitol Annex, protecting the state’s ability to…
Read More »Weiser to host Gov. Little's 'Capital for a Day' Event
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little’s next “Capital for a Day” event will be held in Weiser on January 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vendome Event Center, located at 309 State St. Officials joining Governor Little…
Read More »Gov. Little Appoints Edward Lodge To Public Utilities Commission
Gov. Little Appoints Edward Lodge To Public Utilities Commission Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of Edward Lodge to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC), the body that regulates investor-owned or…
Read More »Gov. Little Announces Staff Changes
Gov. Little Announces Staff Changes Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today two changes to his staff. Hayden Rogers returned to the Governor’s Office after managing the Governor’s successful re-election campaign…
Read More »Gov. Little Appoints New Agriculture Director Following Retirement Of Celia Gould
Gov. Little Appoints New Agriculture Director Following Retirement Of Celia Gould Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of Chanel Tewalt as the new director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).…
Read More »Gov. Little Rolls Out 'Idaho First' Plan To Support Schools, Provide Property Tax Relief, Fight Fentanyl In 2023 State Of The State And Budget Address
Gov. Little Rolls Out 'Idaho First' Plan To Support Schools, Provide Property Tax Relief, Fight Fentanyl In 2023 State Of The State And Budget Address Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little delivered his 2023 State of the State and Budget…
Read More »Gov. Little Publicly Sworn In For Second Term As Idaho's 33rd Governor
Gov. Little Publicly Sworn In For Second Term As Idaho's 33rd Governor Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little was publicly sworn in for his second term as Idaho’s 33rd Governor today and delivered his Second Inaugural Address, pledging…
Read More »Idahoans Invited to Watch Gov. Little Inauguration and 2023 State of the State Address
Idahoans invited to watch Gov. Little Inauguration and 2023 State of the State Address Boise, Idaho – Governor Little invites Idahoans to participate in Inaugural events and to watch his upcoming State of the State Address. FRIDAY, Jan.…
Read More »Gov. Little Appoints Ed Schriever to Northwest Power and Conservation Council
Gov. Little appoints Ed Schriever to Northwest Power and Conservation Council Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of recently retired Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Ed Schriever as the Idaho…
Read More »Gov. Little Weighs In On Scotus Decision To Uphold Title 42 Border Policy
Gov. Little Weighs In On Scotus Decision To Uphold Title 42 Border Policy Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little released the following statement today after an announcement Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court decided to keep Title 42, a key policy to…
Read More »Governor's Trade Mission Opens Doors To Trade Opportunities For Idaho Businesses
Governor's Trade Mission Opens Doors To Trade Opportunities For Idaho Businesses Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little returned this past weekend from a nine-day trade mission to Taiwan and Singapore. The trip was his second official trade…
Read More »Gov. Little Fights Communist China Security Threat With New Ban On Tiktok
Gov. Little Fights Communist China Security Threat With New Ban On Tiktok Boise, Idaho – Gov. Brad Little issued an executive order today banning TikTok on state-issued devices and networks to protect Idahoans from security threats posed…
Read More »Gov. Little Appoints Susie Jensen to First Judicial District
Gov. Little Appoints Susie Jensen to First Judicial District Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of Susie Jensen to the First Judicial District. Jensen is the Chief Bonner County Public Defender in…
Read More »Idaho Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony Returns Nov. 28
Idaho Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony Returns Nov. 28 Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little and First Lady Teresa Little invite everyone to join them on the evening of Monday, November 28, to celebrate the holiday season at the ceremonial…
Read More »Gov. Little Thanks Idahoans for Election Victory
Gov. Little Thanks Idahoans for Election Victory Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today on Tuesday’s election after he secured a large majority of the vote in a five-way gubernatorial race. “I am very proud and…
Read More »Idaho Economy Blows Past Projections for October
Idaho economy blows past projections for October Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today on state revenues for the month of October coming in $48 million ahead of projections, bringing the state budget nearly even with the…
Read More »More Top Rankings Pile In For Idaho
More Top Rankings Pile In For Idaho Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today on even more rankings placing Idaho at the top of the list for economic strength and fiscal stability. “In Idaho, we stand up for limited…
Read More »Caty Solace to lead Idaho STEM Action Center
Caty Solace to lead Idaho STEM Action Center Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today he appointed Caty Solace as executive director of the Idaho STEM Action Center. The Idaho STEM Action Center is an independent office guided…
Read More »Idaho Dominates In New Good Government, Economic Rankings
Idaho Dominates In New Good Government, Economic Rankings Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today on news that Idaho dominated numerous recent rankings of states for economic growth, fiscal responsibility, and overall good…
Read More »Expanded Career Technical Education Underway For High Schoolers, Postsecondary Students
Expanded Career Technical Education Underway For High Schoolers, Postsecondary Students Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today Idaho’s secondary and postsecondary career technical education (CTE) programs were awarded $8…
Read More »Gov. Little Responds to Biden's Pardon for Marijuana Offenders
Gov. Little Responds to Biden's Pardon for Marijuana Offenders Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little issued the following statement after President Joe Biden announced he would pardon all federal marijuana convictions and encouraged governors…
Read More »Governor Appoints New Its Chief, Elmore County District Judge
Governor Appoints New Its Chief, Elmore County District Judge Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced two new appointments today – Alberto Gonzalez will serve as the new chief of the Office of Information Technology Services…
Read More »One Year Later: Biden's Denial of Border Crisis Continues
One Year Later: Biden’s Denial of Border Crisis Continues Boise, Idaho – Exactly one year ago, Governor Brad Little and half of the nation’s governors issued a joint letter to President Joe Biden requesting a meeting within 15…
Read More »Idaho, Taiwan Flour Millers sign $576 million wheat deal
Idaho, Taiwan Flour Millers sign $576 million wheat deal Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little joined representatives of the Idaho wheat industry and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle in the State Capitol today to sign a…
Read More »Empowering Parents grants go live today
Empowering Parents grants go live today Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced at the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy today that Idaho families can start applying for Empowering Parents grants at 10 a.m. MT today.…
Read More »Bryan Nickels to lead new Office of Administrative Hearings
Bryan Nickels to lead new Office of Administrative Hearings Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little appointed Bryan Nickels as Chief Administrative Hearing Officer for the newly created Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Nickels is a…
Read More »Gov. Little's Statement On Successful Special Session
Gov. Little's Statement On Successful Special Session Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little issued the following statement about today’s extraordinary legislative session securing historic tax relief and education funding to combat…
Read More »Gov. Little Calls Special Session To Deliver Record Tax Relief, Education Investments In Face Of Historic Inflation
Gov. Little Calls Special Session To Deliver Record Tax Relief, Education Investments In Face Of Historic Inflation Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little and legislative leaders announced today a special legislative session will be held…
Read More »Idahoans to see 12-percent lower health insurance costs with approval of key "Leading Idaho" waiver
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today the State of Idaho achieved a key milestone of the “Leading Idaho” plan – approval of the state’s innovation waiver, ensuring accessible health insurance for more…
Read More »More Education Support, Tax Cuts The Priority With New Projected Record Budget Surplus
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today on the news that Idaho’s new fiscal year budget surplus is expected to reach a new record – more than $2 billion – and promised to work closely with the Legislature to…
Read More »Governors tell Biden to stop taking lunch money from kids in pursuit of transgender agenda
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little and 14 other governors recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing their disagreement with proposals from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Education that may require institutions…
Read More »Governor Little appoints Eva Nye to District 29 legislative seat
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today the appointment of Eva Nye to the District 29 Senate seat vacated by her late husband, Senator Mark Nye. A Pocatello resident, Nye is a former Pocatello City Council member who served the…
Read More »Nearly two Dozen Governors Speak out against Democrats' Reckless Spending Bill in Congress
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little joined 21 other governors in voicing opposition to the $740 billion Democrat reconciliation bill currently being considered by the U.S. Congress. "The Democrats’ solution to 40-year high inflation is…
Read More »Idaho Seeks to Reduce Crime by Investing in Drug Treatment and Mental Health Services
Boise, Idaho – The State of Idaho is taking steps to make Idaho safer and save taxpayer dollars by increasing drug treatment and mental health services in Idaho communities as part of Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho”…
Read More »Gov. Little responds to Biden lawsuit against Idaho's pro-life law
Gov. Little responds to Biden lawsuit against Idaho's pro-life law Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little issued the following statement today after President Joe Biden’s U.S. Justice Department announced it filed a lawsuit challenging…
Read More »National GDP Falls Again, Idaho Offers Example of Real Solutions
National GDP falls again, Idaho offers example of real solutions Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little commented today after the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released data Thursday revealing the country's Gross Domestic Product decreased…
Read More »Gov. Little orders flags to fly half-staff for two fallen firefighters
Gov. Little orders flags to fly half-staff for two fallen firefighters Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little has ordered U.S. and State of Idaho flags in Idaho to be flown at half-staff in honor of two pilots killed in a helicopter crash…
Read More »Idaho closes out fiscal year with $1.4 billion surplus, more tax cuts and investments on the way
Idaho closes out fiscal year with $1.4 billion surplus, more tax cuts and investments on the way Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today Idahoans can expect more tax cuts and additional investments with the state’s $1.4…
Read More »Leading Idaho investments in local bridges, child pedestrian crossings move forward
Leading Idaho investments in local bridges, child pedestrian crossings move forward Boise, Idaho – Improvements to local bridges as well as child pedestrian paths will be coming to communities across Idaho after the state finalized and…
Read More »Gov. Little directs $1 million to fight fentanyl now
Gov. Little directs $1 million to fight fentanyl now Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today Idaho will put up to $1 million toward efforts to confront the growing threat of fentanyl in our state. “A trace of fentanyl…
Read More »Gov. Little announces appointments to Fish and Game Commission, Minidoka County Commission
Gov. Little announces appointments to Fish and Game Commission, Minidoka County Commission Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today the reappointment of Timothy Murphy and the appointment of Jordan Cheirrett to the Idaho Fish…
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