Introduction from Ted Mondale - DFL
Ted Mondale represented the western Minneapolis suburbs of St. Louis
Park, Hopkins and a portion of Minnetonka in the Minnesota Senate
from 1990 to 1996. At the conclusion of his final legislative
session, the St. Paul Pioneer Press named Mondale one of Minnesota's
outstanding legislators, stating that he has "established himself as
a serious legislator willing to tackle complex and divisive issues. .
. and has exhibited rare political courage." (4/28/96)
Mondale's work in the legislature focused on improving communities and
economic opportunities in Minnesota. During his tenure, Mondale
concentrated his efforts on challenging the conventional wisdom and
devising new frameworks for making government work more effectively.
Legislative Accomplishments
Voluntary Clean-up Program
Mondale was chief author of major legislation making it easier and more
cost effective for government and businesses to clean up and
redevelop polluted land. This legislation was a key component of the
Voluntary Cleanup Program, which was recognized as one of the most
innovative programs in the nation by the Ford Foundation and the
Kennedy School of Government.
Shared Radio Act
When Ted Mondale discovered that state, city and local governments did
not share radio frequencies, he authored a bill to require all law
enforcement units to operate on the same frequency. Now, when a
police officer needs assistance, he or she can radio the nearest law
enforcement officer for help.
Livable Communities Act
Mondale authored a bipartisan approach to regional planning and
development aimed at slowing the rate of urban sprawl, encouraging
affordable housing and redevelopment of the urban core. His
legislation was passed and signed into law after years of partisan
bickering had pitted cities against suburbs and stalled regional
planning reforms. Clinton's former Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development, Henry Cisneros, called this legislation one of the
most innovative solutions to the affordable housing problem he's ever
seen.
Airport Bill
In 1996, Mondale authored and passed legislation that ensured the
Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport would remain at its
current location, saving Minnesota taxpayers $10 billion, and
thousands of jobs.
During his tenure in the Minnesota Senate, Mondale was recognized and
awarded for his commitment to important issues such as early
childhood education and the environment.
Mondale was also selected as one of the 1997 CityBusiness "40 under
40." This annual award spotlights those under 40 years of age, "who
are making a difference in their professions, in the local business
community and in the community at large."
Ted Mondale has been active in national politics for more than twenty
years. In 1988, he served as Midwest Political Director to the
Dukakis for President Committee, overseeing political operations in
eight Midwestern states. In 1984, Ted served as a surrogate speaker
and senior advisor to the Mondale for President Committee and played
significant roles in the 1980 and 1976 Carter Presidential campaigns.
Mondale currently serves on the board of Youth Service America, an
alliance of organizations committed to community and national
service. The mission of the organization is to build healthy towns
and cities, foster citizenship, knowledge, and personal development
through a powerful network of service opportunities for young people.
Mondale is of counsel to the law firm of Halleland Lewis Nilan Sipkins &
Johnson, P.A. and a shareholder of Comprehensive Consulting Services,
Inc., a health care consulting company formed in 1996. Previously,
Mondale worked at United HealthCare from 1991-1996, where he
developed new products and business opportunities for public sector
markets and provided public affairs counsel to the major business
specialty companies as the Vice President for Public Affairs.
Ted received a B.A. from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. in
1988 from the William Mitchell College of Law. Ted Mondale is 40
years old, and lives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, with his wife,
Pam, and their three young children, Louie, Amanda and Berit.
