Latest news with #Program
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Revised Canadian policy eases job transitions for foreign workers
In a significant move aimed at better utilizing the skills of temporary foreign workers already within the country, the Canadian government has introduced a new temporary public policy. This initiative that was signed on March 4, comes into force from May 27. It allows foreign nationals in Canada to change jobs more quickly, even before their new work permit application is fully processed. Previously, foreign workers seeking to switch employers or occupations often faced lengthy delays, sometimes several weeks, while awaiting a new work permit. This waiting period led to financial instability for workers and frustration for Canadian employers keen to fill urgent labour and skills gaps. Now, temporary foreign workers already in Canada, who have a job offer either through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program or the International Mobility Program can begin their new roles more quickly The Canadian government acknowledges that temporary foreign workers play a vital role in the Canadian economy. However, circumstances can arise where an existing employment contract is no longer viable. This could be due to various reasons, such as a new role with the same employer, layoffs, workplace conflict, or simply the pursuit of better compensation or professional growth opportunities with a different company. "It is imperative to better utilize the skills and training of the temporary foreign workers already here," states a recently updated post on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). "This policy offers workers a viable and timely alternative to change employers if they need to do so" adds the post. Speaking to the TOI, Kubeir Kamal, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) said, 'The temporary public policy from IRCC, allows temporary foreign workers, including many from the Indian community, to change employers without needing a new work permit while their application is processed. This would specifically apply to the closed work permit holders in Canada.' 'Indian workers, who form a significant portion of Canada's temporary foreign workforce (over one lakh work permits were issued to Indian nationals in 2022), often hold employer-specific (close) work permits in sectors like IT, healthcare, caregiving, and agriculture. This policy allows them to switch jobs without waiting for a new permit, reducing downtime and enabling pursuit of better opportunities, such as higher-paying roles or positions with career advancement,' he added. Meanwhile, Jamil Jivani, a member of the Canadian Parliament from the Conservative party, apparently acting suo moto, has launched a petition to end the TFW Program. He blames it for high immigration numbers, taking jobs from Canadians, lowering wages and putting an additional burden on infrastructure. The re-elected Liberal party in August last year had announced restrictive measures for hiring temporary foreign workers. These included a cap on the number of TFWs that can be hired, and reduction in the duration of employment for workers hired under the low-wage stream to one year, from two years.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
100% I.D. scan begins June 1 on Fort Benning
FORT BENNING () — June 1st, gates on Fort Benning will no longer have self-scan lanes as the military installation will enforce the 100% I.D. scan. 'It means that every single person who is coming through an access control point. We will be able to positively identify them,' says Fort Benning Access Control Chief Matthew Dillion. Dillion tells WRBL this differs from the Trusted Traveler Program. He says, 'a Trusted Traveler could come through, scan their I.D. and they were vouching for the people that were in their vehicle. Now when they come through, they're still the trusted traveler. There's no change to that. The only difference is where a trusted traveler used to vouch for everybody. Now we're at 100% I.D. and everybody.' The 100% scan is usually implemented only at night Dillion says. Starting Sunday, Fort Benning's Commander Major General Colin Tooley will require 100% I.D. checks at all gates 24/7. Dillion says, there are other ways to get on the army post without scanning your I.D. at the gate. 'The first way is to go to a visitor control center,' Dillion explains. 'We're one of the few installations that has one that's open 24 hours… On the other side, you can go online. We have an online system where you can actually process for a pass specifically to their event.' Dillion says these processes allow for security to conduct background checks on every person coming in. Wednesday through Fridays Fort Benning see's higher levels of traffic due to family days and graduations Dillion says. Prior to getting to the access gate, Dillion encourages having your ID ready for a quick and smooth entry onto the military post. He says people who have been previously denied or barred, have active warrants and other things of that nature will be denied access. For those who have yet to get their Real I.D., Dillion says additional documentation may be needed to gain access. He says this can be handled in the lane or be sent to the visitor control center. Dillion says once it's taken care, it will no longer be an issue the next time you get checked at the checkpoint. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cotiviti GOV Services Awarded Contracts for CMS Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Region 3, Region 4, and Region 5
Contract will support CMS in safeguarding payment integrity for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries SALT LAKE CITY, May 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cotiviti GOV Services, LLC, a long-standing partner of Federal Government healthcare agencies and programs for more than 20 years, has been named by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as the designated Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) for Region 3, Region 4, and Region 5. These three contracts, awarded through a competitive procurement process, will support postpay review of Medicare claims in these regions to efficiently identify and correct overpayments and underpayments made to healthcare providers with a focus on the quality, accuracy, and transparency of reviews; recovery of improper payments; and minimizing provider burden. "We are honored to continue our long-standing partnership with CMS by delivering our advanced technology, data analytics, and specialized expertise to support the RAC Program, as well as continue to identify other opportunities to invest in our solutions and partnerships in the government market," said Chris Coloian, executive vice president of Cotiviti, Inc. and general manager of Cotiviti GOV Services, LLC. CMS RAC Region 3 comprises eight states in the Southeast and two territories, while Region 4 comprises 17 states in the West and Mid-Atlantic, Washington, D.C., and three territories. As the incumbent for these regions, Cotiviti will continue to conduct postpay review of Medicare fee-for-service claims. RAC Region 5, which will transition from the previous contractor to Cotiviti GOV Services, comprises all fee-for-service claims nationwide for durable medical equipment and prosthetic, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) as well as home health and hospice (HH&H). About Cotiviti Cotiviti enables healthcare organizations to deliver better care at lower cost through advanced technology and data analytics, helping to ensure the quality and sustainability of how healthcare is delivered in the United States. Cotiviti's solutions are a critical foundation for healthcare payers in their mission to lower healthcare costs and improve quality through higher performing payment accuracy, quality improvement, risk adjustment, and consumer engagement programs. The company also supports the retail industry with data management and recovery audit services that improve business outcomes. For more information, visit About Cotiviti GOV Services Cotiviti GOV Services' payment integrity solutions empower government agencies in the prevention and pursuit of errors, fraud, waste, and abuse, spanning the entire claim payment spectrum. These solutions enable both public and private payers in the continuing shift from postpay recovery of improper payments to automated prepay identification and prevention of improper payments for inappropriately coded claims to increase efficiency and protect beneficiaries. Cotiviti GOV Services delivers multiplatform payment integrity and quality improvement solutions that drive effective and efficient management and stewardship of mission-critical programs, supporting agencies such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Defense Health Agency (DHA). View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Corey PatchkofskyAria Marketing for Cotiviticpatchkofsky@ 203-710-2296 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Earth Conservancy secures $6.7M grant for land reclamation and park development
May 28—HANOVER TWP. — A former strip mine once used for debris disposal from Hurricane Agnes in 1972 will be transformed into a vibrant community park, thanks to a $6.7 million grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, Terry Ostrowski, president/CEO at Earth Conservancy, announced Wednesday. Ostrowski said Earth Conservancy will use the grant to reclaim its 30-acre Hanover 7A site and transform it into a new community park serving the Lower South Valley. Funded through DEP's highly-competitive Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program, Ostrowski said the project highlights the power of partnerships in returning long-abandoned mine lands into valuable community assets — promoting both economic growth and environmental renewal. Located in Hanover Township directly off State Route 29, Ostrowski said the site's accessibility makes it especially well-positioned to serve as a regional hub for outdoor recreation and community engagement. "Earth Conservancy is incredibly grateful for the continued support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as well as from our local representatives," Ostrowski said. "The site's accessibility and size make it ideal for a variety of outdoor activities. We genuinely believe it will not only provide a wonderful resource for residents, but also attract regional athletic tournaments, boosting our economy and fostering community engagement." Project overview Ostrowski said the history of Hanover 7A (H7A) is like many mine-scarred properties in EC's portfolio. Once owned by the Glen Alden Coal Company, the land was heavily strip-mined and left unrestored, with large open pits dominating the landscape. Its condition worsened after the Agnes Flood in 1972, when Pennsylvania designated non-operating strip mine sites — including 38 acres of H7A — for disposal of storm debris. Following Glen Alden bankruptcy in the mid-1970s, Ostrowski said the land remained neglected until EC acquired it in 1994. At that time, he said no formal closure had occurred. EC worked with a range of agencies and community partners, including DEP, to evaluate and reclaim the 48-acre parcel. Basic reclamation, including capping and grading, was completed in 2006. The site sat idle until 2019, when 18 acres were sold to a local developer, which became the new home of the Pennsylvania State Police Troop P barracks and training facility. In January 2020, Ostrowski said EC convened a group of local stakeholders — including municipal leaders, elected officials, and representatives from area schools, colleges, and businesses — to discuss the site's potential. "The response was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees envisioning the land becoming a focal point for community recreation and engagement," Ostrowski said. In response, EC applied for and received a Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) grant from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in 2021. Ostrowski said the funding supported site assessments, community outreach, and planning. Importantly, Ostrowski said the study confirmed that any reuse of the site — even for passive recreation — would require further reclamation. To continue progress, Ostrowski said EC applied to DEP for funding through the AMLER Program in 2023. In May 2025, Ostrowski said EC was awarded a $6.7 million AMLER grant to complete the next phase of the project. He said work will include bulk earthwork, grading, and subsurface stabilization; installation of basic utilities and parking areas; site revegetation; and construction of initial park amenities, including grass fields, a walking trail, and an inclusive playground. "Once complete, the H7A project will mark a significant milestone in EC's mission to foster environmental restoration, economic development, and improved quality of life in the region," Ostrowski said. "The transformation of this long-neglected site into a vibrant community space will expand green infrastructure, enhance outdoor recreational opportunities, and serve as a valuable resource for local schools and residents. Additionally, the project lays the groundwork for future phases of development, supporting a healthier, safer, and more connected Lower South Valley." Legislators offer comment Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, said the project represents a terrific combination of conservation and recreation. "We are fortunate to have a local group like the Earth Conservancy with the vision and energy to assemble and carry out a plan that contributes to the physical and mental health of area residents," Sen. Baker said. "This opens opportunities for those of all ages to enjoy the outdoors." Rep. Alec Ryncavage, R-Hanover Township, said the project marks a transformative investment for Hanover Township and the entire region. "Reclaiming abandoned mine land and turning it into a vibrant public space will not only improve our environment, but also create new recreational opportunities for families and support ongoing economic development," Rep. Ryncavage said. "I was proud to support this project and look forward to seeing it come to life." Hanover Township Manager Sam Guesto said the township is grateful to the Earth Conservancy for securing these funds for a large recreation park. "This park will benefit the community and region — fostering health, unity, and vibrant connections that enrich lives," Guesto said. "The township looks forward to supporting this very important project." To learn more, visit Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
City, Del Mar College say Corpus Christi Housing Authority plan may cost them tax revenue
Local officials are enlisting attorneys to look into tax exemptions for apartment properties acquired by the Corpus Christi Housing Authority — a program housing authority officials say will make more housing affordable, but a move taxing entities say will make big dents in their budgets. In all, appraised values for the 13 apartment complexes acquired by the housing authority total at least $330 million, according to Nueces County Appraisal District records — meaning that if the property exemptions stand as proposed, that taxable value would be taken off the rolls. City staff is estimating that the housing authority's property tax exemptions will amount to $3.5 million in lost ad valorem taxes, said City Manager Peter Zanoni, addressing the council in its May 13 meeting. It could be as much as $7 million, he added, should there be additional acquisitions. 'That's a lot of money — $3.5 million, up to $7 million — out of the general fund,' Zanoni said. 'It's a tremendous financial impact; it's not a rounding error. It's big money, and real money.' The city had previously been facing a projected deficit of about $7 million for the 2026 fiscal year, according to officials. When taking into account the possibility of additional property tax losses, estimates would push that number to more than $10 million. Corpus Christi Housing Authority CEO Gary Allsup said May 14 that acquiring the apartment complexes makes room for direly needed workforce housing — homes for people with moderate incomes too high to qualify for low-income housing but not high enough to afford market-rate prices. 'We have so many folks that are what we call 'caught in the middle,'' he said. On its website, the housing authority describes how 'many local families are paying more than 30% of their income on rent, making them 'rent burdened' and limiting their ability to afford other necessities or save. 'The (Workforce Housing Opportunities) Program addresses this by partnering with market-rate rental properties to create mixed-income developments,' it states. The housing authority acquires the apartment complex properties without monetary purchase, Allsup said, becoming an owner of the property grounds and also a 'small-portion owner in the actual improvements to the property.' The housing authority's ownership makes the properties tax-exempt for apartment complexes' management companies — what is considered compensation for an agreement that requires apartment complex management to make half of their units available for workforce housing, he said. Of those workforce housing units, 40% are intended for households bringing in 80% or less of the area median income, and 10% are earmarked for households earning 60% or less of the area median income, he said. The rental cost of the units reserved for workforce housing is dropped to a price that is considered affordable for those income brackets. The housing authority will garner some money from annual payments related to the land leases, Allsup said. The exact amounts were not immediately available May 14, but 'the housing authority is not getting rich off that,' he said, adding that any revenue will go toward other affordable housing programs. Several transactions for additional acquisitions are pending, Allsup said, which would bring the total number of acquired apartment complex properties approved by a past board to about 20. The acquisitions of the apartment complexes, should the proposed property tax exemptions stand, are expected to affect multiple taxing entities. May 13, Del Mar College Chief Financial Officer Raul Garcia told the college Board of Regents that the conversion of the private properties could impact the 2025-26 budget. "The combined appraised value of these properties represents a reduction in the college property tax revenue of approximately $1.1 million, which would offset tax revenues from other properties in our district," Garcia said. City officials in late April broke the news publicly that there would likely be a budget deficit in the upcoming year, at the time projected to be about $7 million. That figure had been landed on with the assumptions that the City Council would not raise the tax rate — currently about 60 cents per $100 appraised value — and by comparing forecast revenue to anticipated funding mandates, staff has said. At the time, Zanoni told the council that $7 million may not sound significant when accounting for the entirety of the budget, but to put it in perspective, the full budgets of some singular departments such as libraries, animal care services and code compliance are about $5 million each. It's believed now that the deficit may be closer to $10 million or higher, based on the housing authority's property acquisitions and prospective acquisitions, according to staff. Although housing authority representatives didn't reach out to taxing entities, the decision to acquire the properties was done not in secret but instead in a public meeting, Allsup said. Properties coming off the tax rolls will affect local entities' revenue, Allsup said, but he doesn't believe the $7 million cited by the city's staff is accurate. He suggested in an earlier interview that the impact would likely be around 1% of overall budgets. 'In order to make a huge impact in our community, in providing thousands of affordable housing opportunities, it seems like a reasonable expenditure to have that kind of impact,' Allsup said. 'This is for the public good,' he said. 'I really think that's where we should focus our attention here is, 'Does Corpus Christi need workforce housing?' And if the answer to that is yes, then we've helped with that. If the answer's no, then I think they're seeing different … needs than I see because I hear constantly that we have a huge need for affordable and workforce housing.' Questions about legality and impropriety have been raised. Following a closed-door session, the Del Mar College Board of Regents unanimously approved authorizing college leaders and legal experts to take the 'necessary and appropriate action, including the engagement of outside counsel, to protect and pursue the college's legal status and potential claims.' The City Council, subsequent to its executive session on the same day, issued a resolution that among other items authorized city management to 'to use all administrative, legal, and legislative means to prevent the improper and/or illegal use of property tax exemptions by the Corpus Christi Housing Authority, affiliates, and entities connected thereto.' The housing authority's actions 'may be illegal — we're looking into that — but it's definitely improper,' said City Attorney Miles Risley, responding to questions raised by City Councilman Gil Hernandez about using verbiage that includes the word 'illegal.' 'I agree that it's improper, maybe unsavory,' Hernandez said. 'I don't know if it's 'and/or illegal.'' Allsup, responding to the resolution adopted by the council, said he believes 'there continues to be a misunderstanding of what the law is and under what programs that this is done for.' 'There's certainly not anything that's improper, and nothing illegal, in the way that these deals have been done,' he said. 'It's been very transparent.' A new majority of board members who oversee the Corpus Christi Housing Authority were selected by Mayor Paulette Guajardo this week. The board of directors comprises five members who serve in two-year terms. Two new appointees replaced sitting board members whose terms had recently expired and who had been seeking reappointment, while another new appointee filled an open seat vacated by a former member who had moved, officials said. Dated March 14, a letter addressed to Allsup shows the new appointees as former mayor Joe McComb, former councilman Greg Smith and Judith Gonzalez-Rodriguez, a school counselor at West Oso Independent School District. The terms of Smith and Rodriguez-Gonzalez are shown as ending in April 2027. McComb is slated to serve a partial term that will expire in April 2026. Officials identified the two sitting board members who were not reappointed as Curtis Clark, shown on the housing authority's site as an assistant vice president at IBC Bank, and Christine Belin, who was serving a partial term. Allsup said May 15 that he was disappointed by the decision, adding that he believed the members who were not reappointed had 'done a great job.' 'I think the board has been effective,' he said, noting that the positions are held by volunteers. 'I think the board has demonstrated an excitement and a care for the citizens of Corpus Christi.' Guajardo asserted that there hasn't been adequate explanation about the recent housing deals, saying that greater oversight is needed for the housing authority to 'ensure that transparency (and) accountability are in place because these are public funds.' She praised the new appointees. 'I think the three of them together bring new leadership that's going to provide greater direction and transparency to the housing authority, and they're outstanding community volunteers. … They're going to be great assets,' Guajardo said. Caller-Times reporter Olivia Garrett contributed to this story. (This story was updated to add new information.) More: Here are some plans for the former Lozano Elementary School property More: City of Corpus Christi may need to make $7 million in cuts this year. What will it mean? This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi, Del Mar College oppose housing authority program
