On Jan. 22, 1987, Gov. Steve Cowper prepared to discuss the final part of his fiscal plan: budget cuts. The total amount suggested to be cut by his temporary cabinet was $300 million, which tore funding from a variety of different programs. However, although what propositions Cowper accepted were still a mystery, Press Secretary David Ramseur confirmed that the cuts he did accept totaled at about $200 million. Cowper was to give a speech directly to the Alaska Legislature discussing the specifics of his recommended cuts.
After Cowper gave his State of the State address, Vince Wright of the Alaska Department of Revenue warned Alaska legislators to transition Alaska’s economy out of oil because of the market’s instability. The suggestion was similar to Cowper’s own budgetary proposal that he announced during his address; his plan was to shift Alaska’s economy to product and service distribution and decrease the state’s over-reliance on oil.
On the date of the 14th anniversary of Roe v.s. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that affirmed the constitutionality of abortion, three dozen pro-life protesters gathered at the steps of the Capitol to try and convince Alaska lawmakers to support a constitutional amendment that would have reversed the Supreme Court’s decision.
“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.
