On Aug. 1, 1986, Gov. Bill Sheffield announced his new budget plan for the upcoming year, which included a massive $230 million cut to state services. Under the new fiscal plan, 320 state employees would be laid off, education aid would be reduced by 10 percent, and there would be a 15 percent decrease in agency budgets and loan programs. Layoff notices were to be distributed in the weeks to come, and the Alaska Public Employees Association and Sheffield planned to meet later in the day to talk about pay negotiations. Though a decision about pay had yet to come, many employees were voluntarily donating different things — like their paid leave or work hours — in order to save the state more money, despite inadequate pay.
Meanwhile, the first day of August also marks the first day of the 40th annual Golden North Salmon Derby. Though catches were slow in Douglas, the rest of the town was able to catch well. Even with the many problems Alaska was going through, 2,800 fishermen took to the water, made the best of it and had fun.
“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.
