the state's operating budget is about the same as it was in 2010, and its per capita spending of $5,400 is less than any year since 2005.

Alaska's per capita tax burden is also the lowest of any state, Teal added — a point affirmed in a report released Wednesday by the Tax Foundation, which showed Alaska as the only state where the combined state-local tax burden was below 7 percent in 2012.

Walker's budget director, Pat Pitney, said in a brief interview that she welcomed Teal's analysis, and called it "great."

"It's a fair treatment," she said.

Teal, who started in his position in 1998, in past years has cautioned legislators about the risk of deficits stemming from reduced oil production. Last year, as the state's budget crisis was beginning, hisaction."

The opinions of some lawmakers this week, however, suggested that legislative positions about the Permanent Fund may be evolving to match Teal's. Rep. Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, said many of her constituents understand that the dividend "isn't sacrosanct."

"Roads, ambulances — the things they think government should do — they're willing to pitch in for that," she said.

She added, however, that the budget crisis also makes it a good time to reduce the size of Alaska's government.

Gattis comes from the Mat-Su, a region with one of the most conservative legislative delegations in the state.

Thompson, the co-chair of the House Finance Committee, said he's been seeing more of his conservative colleagues embracing a fiscal plan that relies on new revenue.