On Jan. 20, 1987, lawmakers and Alaskans prepared to hear Gov. Steve Cowper’s State of the State address. With Alaska’s budget deficit running higher than ever, legislators were hoping to hear a comprehensive budget plan for the next two years.
After Sen. Frank Ferguson, D-Kotzebue, formally stepped down from his position in the state Legislature because of health problems. Gov. Cowper appointed Alaska Native leader Willie Hensley to take his place. Hensley, who completed his last legislative term more than a decade before, was sworn-in that morning. Although Hensley did not want to serve, saying that he hasn’t “had time to think about what I want to accomplish for my district” and that he hadn’t “intended to run” because the position required him to give up his spot as a University of Alaska regent, Hensley still willingly accepted, understanding that the decision would be good for the state.
After the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Monday, Earl Ford, a U.S. Forest Service employee and former Juneau resident, was given the Against All Odds award. Ford moved to San Francisco last week but was granted the award because of his outstanding community involvement while living in Juneau.
On Jan. 21, 1987, lawmakers and Alaskans were happy to hear Gov. Steve Cowper’s economic budget plan for Alaska during the State of the State address. “We must take control of our own lives and of our own destiny,” Gov. Cowper said, referencing a major new effort to revolutionize sales of Alaskan products and end state dependence on oil. The governor planned to focus on the state’s marketing of products and services, specifically taking advantage of Alaska’s convenient location between Europe and Asia, starting by improving the business climate. Gov. Cowper called to repeal the “unitary tax” on multi-national corporations to attract more companies to Alaska. The tax generated about $125 million per year because of incoming oil and gas companies. The rest of his 15-point plan included the establishment of an International Trade Center through the Alaska Pacific University or the University of Alaska, the authorization of Alaska Industrial Development Authority to develop an exporting financial program and the encouragement of “import substitution” by helping in-state businesses manufacture goods. Cowper also wanted to create a fairer system for funding education.
“This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire freelancer Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives.
