Pat Toomey sets legislative goals as he joins U.S. Senate

The New Year brings a new crop of politicians.  Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senator-elect Pat Toomey is outlining his legislative priorities.

Senator-Elect Pat Toomey says there are a few things he’d like to start working on as soon as possible.  At the top of that list, he says, is creating an environment that maximizes economic growth and job creation.  

“Notice I didn’t say, for the government to create economic growth and job creation – the government can’t do that – but it can create an environment where the private sector can do that and that’s gotta be our top priority so that we have the economic recovery that we badly need,” said Toomey.

Toomey says he also wants to get the budget under control by cutting unspecified programs, eliminating earmarks, and rescinding any unspent portions of the stimulus law.

Toomey will take the place of longtime Senator Arlen Specter, who left the Republican party only to lose in the Democratic senate primary.