U.S. Sen. Richard Burr wants to see a new course for Washington’s economic-stimulus and health-care plans, he told The Herald in a phone interview late last month.

The economy

“The number one issue in the country is getting the economy started again,” said Burr, a Republican in the fourth year of his first Senate term. “My preference would be for the president to pull back all unspent stimulus money and to redirect it in a way that it would actually have a stimulative impact on the economy.”

He proposed putting more money into infrastructure and making funds more immediately available to companies.

Burr also believes a stable housing market is the bedrock of economic recovery. He is cosponsor of a bill that would offer a $15,000 incentive to any homebuyer; as it stands, first-time homebuyers can get an $8,000 credit.

“That will help to absorb some of the housing inventory that’s out there,” he said.

Burr criticized the government’s projected spending, saying the country would have to borrow up to half of the $3.5 trillion spending plan.

“I think, quite honestly, that North Carolina families are tired of seeing Washington doing things they can’t do, and that’s spend money they don’t have,” he said.

Burr also said the cap-and-trade emissions bill would have a heavy impact on plants like Bridgestone and Firestone and drive up power prices for families.

“At a time when North Carolina’s economy is extremely fragile, this could be the worst thing that could happen to us,” Burr said. Burr said a more-distant solution could be to create a national debt-refinancing program for citizens. He proposed a program that would allow all Americans to pay off their debt at lower interest rates.

“What’s wrong with letting the American people restructure their debt?” he asked.

Health care

Burr opposes the current health-care proposal. He said it would be better to focus on a program that would build on the private system now in place.

The senator said President Obama’s plan does not meet the necessary goals. “It’s not designed to cover everybody; it does not create any investment in prevention, wellness and disease management,” Burr said. “I think most Americans believe today that it is financially unsustainable.”

The party

The Republican Party is getting back to its roots, Burr said.

“I think the Republican Party is beginning to be molded and shaped by the American people right now,” he said. “One might say that’s opposition to the agenda of the White House, but I think it’s more consistent with the historical foundation of the Republican Party — low taxes, controlled spending, no debt and job growth.”

On Capitol Hill, the senator said, the political battles have been tougher than ever.

“Listen, it’s much more contentious and partisan today than it’s ever been,” said Burr, who also represented North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives for 10 years. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re Republican or Democrat, it’s tough to deal with day in and out.”

He said his relationship with fellow senator Kay Hagan was good, though they often cancel each other’s votes.

Burr said life in Washington isn’t easy right now. “When people ask me if I enjoy what I’m doing, now is the time that I try not to answer the question,” he said.