Access To Democracy

 
Mark Jacobs & Michael Berndt, of Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board

Mark Jacobs, who is the Director of Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board and Michael Berndt who is President of Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College and a board member of Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board, talk with host Bill Raker about what the Workforce Board is, why it exists, who is on it, what it does and how it partners with local colleges. They point out that services and resources the organization offers are available to both employers and individuals.

Mark and Michael talk about the what and why of shifts in the composition of the available workforce and the challenges in addressing the evolving skill and competency needs of individuals and employers. Learn about the special programs that are offered for Veterans, people with disabilities and mobility challenges, and immigrants. Mark highlights where CareerForce offices are located and staffed, including the resources they have available for residents and employers.

HON. PAUL ANDERSON, retired from the MN Supreme Court, has been a friend of our show since 2002. Along the way he has been a frequent guest, as well as a host interviewing guests on many occasions.
 
For the last decade, he has done a review of the US Supreme Court at the end of each term.
 
In this interview, he discussed cases decided, and also shared his disappointment on the conduct of several of the Justices.

CONGRESSWOMAN ANGIE CRAIG has won election in MN CD2 in the last three elections. One of the most hard working members in US Congress, she has authored several bipartisan bills in a sharply divided Congress.

She has been very involved in attempting to improve Post Office functioning, and has become one of the most respected members in Congress.

DARTS: Healthy Aging Services

Join guest Sarah Lindner Director of Advancement at DARTS, and host Bill Raker, to learn more about what DARTS is and what it does. Sarah explains the origin and mission of the non-profit service organization.
 
You’ll be surprised to know there are many more services available than just a ride to the grocery or doctor’s office, such as lawn mowing, fall clean-up, snow removal, handyman projects, to name just a few.
 

DARTS is supported by grants and fund-raising activities that allow services to be provided at no cost, or for a small fee in some instances. DARTS relies on the paid staff and hundreds of volunteers to provide life-enriching services to thousands of citizens over 55 years of age in Dakota County and South Washington County in MN.

The interview includes information on how to contact DARTS to request services, or how to volunteer.

Professor RICHARD PAINTER was the top Ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration. He has been a regular contributor to Access to Democracy program and in this interview he bemoans the lack of ethics that permeated the US Supreme Court, the controversies surrounding Justices Thomas, Alito, Roberts et al. and how these lapses brought the Court to its lowest approval rating in history, and lowest reputation. He also discussed possible solutions.