On July 14, 1986, state jobs fell even shorter with impending cuts to Alaska’s budget. Even with the many blows that Alaska had taken thus far, officials speculated that the sledgehammer had not been dropped yet but would in the coming year. Oil barrels once sold for $17 each were cut to almost half, ranging from $9-10 each, leaving Alaska’s oil revenue-dependent annual income dwindling.
After recent charges of financial impropriety and mismanagement, some Juneau members of the Alaska Public Employment Association wanted the union’s executive director suspended.
On Alaska’s gubernatorial election front, incumbent Gov. Bill Sheffield faced Fairbanks lawyer Steve Cowper in the Democratic primary. Although before speculators believed them even-matched, Cowper appeared to have the lead. A poll showed that 14.2 percent out of 391 respondents would vote for Cowper compared to Sheffield’s 9.8 percent.
“This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire intern Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives. To learn more about the project, click here.
