ELWYN B ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

Y.E.S.S. COALITION

COLLECTION:OGL #1205

DATES: September - December 1989

SIZE: 1.5 feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Y.E.S.S. Coaliton Records were deposited on June 4, 1990 by Tom Potter, on June 26, 1990 by John Hithcock, and on July 16, 1990 by Wes Christianson (Acc #90-1711).

ACCESS: Available for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

Petition drives led to the referral of eight measures passed by the 1989 North Dakota State Legislature. The December 5, 1989 special election allowed voters to repeal or uphold each of the eight measures.

Measure #1 was a constitutional amendment that allowed the governor to reorganize North Dakota's executive branch. Measure #2 introduced a retirement plan for state legislatures. Measure #3 was a fuel tax increase. Measure #4 was a sales tax increase. Measure #5 was a mandatory seat belt law. Measure #6 permitted electronic gaming. Measure #7 was an income tax increase. Measure #8 created a statewide health-education program.

The Y.E.S.S. ("You Expect State Services") Coalition was formed to encourage voters to vote yes to support measures #3 (a fuel tax increase,) #4 (a sales tax increase,) and #7 (an income tax increase) at the special election. These three tax measure were supported because of the revenue that would be applied to social services and education including medical assistance, family service programs, special education programs, and maintenance of roads and bridges. The coalition represented groups including the AFL/CIO, school districts, hospitals, city governments, and higher education institutions.

Y.E.S.S. Coalition efforts included fundraising, public speaking, soliciting voters, publishing newsletters, advertising, and providing rides and babysitting on election day.

All eight measures were voted down. As a result, general funds were reduced by $98 million.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Y.E.S.S. Coaliton Records date from 9/8/1989-12/1989 and contain newspaper clippings, advertisements, county summary reports, fact sheets, Fargo Vote Yes for North Dakota information, general correspondence, Get Out the Vote subcommittee information, minutes of Grand Forks Y.E.S.S. Coalition meetings, steering committee information, higher education impact information, newsletters, news releases, North Dakota state correspondence, North Dakota state impact information, speeches, University of North Dakota impact information, and University of North Dakota correspondence.

BOX/FOLDER LISTING

Box 1
Folder

  1. Newspaper Clippings, Advertisements.
  2. Newspaper Clippings, Articles, General.
  3. Newspaper Clippings, Articles, General.
  4. Newspaper Clippings, Editorials, General.
  5. Newspaper Clippings, Editorials, General.
  6. Newspaper Clippings, Editorials, General.
  7. Newspaper Clippings, Editorials, General.
  8. Newspaper Clippings, Election Results.
  9. Newspaper Clippings. Kent French, Referral Leader.
  10. Newspaper Clippings, Letters to the Editor.
  11. Newspaper Clippings, Letters to the Editor, "No" Votes.
  12. Newspaper Clippings, Letters to the Editor, "Yes" Votes.
  13. Newspaper Clippings, Letters to the Editor, "Yes" Votes.
  14. Newspaper Clippings, Measure #1- Reorganization of Executive Branch.
  15. Newspaper Clippings, Measure #2- Retirement Plan.
  16. Newspaper Clippings, Measure #3- Fuel Tax.
  17. Newspaper Clippings, Measures #3, 4, and 7.
  18. Newspaper Clippings, Measures #3, 4, and 7.
  19. Newspaper Clippings, Measures #3, 4, and 7.
  20. Newspaper Clippings, Measure #4- Fuel Tax.
  21. Newspaper Clippings, Measure #5- Seat Belts.
  22. Newspaper Clippings, Measure #6- Electronic Gaming.
  23. Newspaper Clippings, Measure #7- Income Tax.
  24. Newspaper Clippings, Measure #8- Health Education.
  25. Newspaper Clippings, Measure #8- Health Education.
  26. Newspaper Clippings, North Dakota's Effects.
  27. Newspaper Clippings, Polls.
  28. Newspaper Clippings, Referral Process Questioned.
  29. Newspaper Clippings, Social Services and Education.
  30. Advertisements, Just Say Yes to North Dakota.
  31. County Summary Reports,
  32. Fact Sheets, "No."
  33. Fact Sheets, "Yes."
  34. Fargo Vote Yes for North Dakota.
  35. General Correspondence.
  36. Grand Forks Y.E.S.S. Coalition, Correspondence.
  37. Grand Forks Y.E.S.S. Coalition, Get Out the Vote Subcommittee.
  38. Grand Forks Y.E.S.S. Coalition, Minutes of Meetings, 9/8/1989-11/7/1989.
  39. Grand Forks Y.E.S.S. Coalition, Steering Committee.
  40. Higher Education Impact.

Box 2
Folder

  1. Newsletters, Vote Yes Coalition News, Issues 1- 10.
  2. News Releases.
  3. North Dakota State Correspondence.
  4. North Dakota State Impact.
  5. Speeches.
  6. University of North Dakota Impact
  7. University of North Dakota Correspondence.

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