CARSON CITY – Assembly Minority Leader Heidi Gansert just might have the hardest job in Carson City.

Not only does she preside over a fractious caucus that includes both moderates and libertarians, not only can Assembly Democrats do anything they want without having to garner a single Republican vote, but Gansert has to argue for limited government in an age where many people are looking to government for help in an ailing economy.

In her opening-day speech, Gansert said the Republican caucus was willing to work with rival Democrats up to a point, but wouldn’t compromise their principles.

In an interview Tuesday, Gansert said the Republican caucus draws its members from all over the state, rural and urban areas alike, and thus its voices should be heard. It’s a legitimate concern, given that Republicans compose but one-third of the Assembly, not enough to block a vote. “I think it’s very important that the voices be heard,” Gansert said.

But she stressed that Republicans believe in limited government, and will be looking for inefficiencies and reductions in budgets. In fact, she said, it may well be possible to balance the state’s budget without raising a new tax if enough cuts can be made.

“We’re going to have to look at everything,” she said. “Taxes are, of course, the last resort. I would like to rule them out at all costs.” She added, however, that taxes remain an option, albeit an unpleasant one.

Still, Gansert said the cuts to the higher education budget are “not managable.” She admitted there will be friction as the Legislature changes Gov. Jim Gibbons’s budget.

“I think there’s room to cut and to get back to just essential services,” Gansert said, including K-12 education, public safety and health and human services.”The state has to come together as a whole.”