Employee-Paid

The number of people seeking unemployment aid was unchanged last week and the four-week average of applications fell to its lowest point in four years. The figures add to evidence that show the job market is improving.

President Barack Obama signed the payroll tax cut extension into law Wednesday, notching an election-year victory and rare bipartisan agreement in the continuing partisan battle over jobs, taxes and debt.

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday called for 20 percent across-the-board cuts in personal income tax rates as part of a program to help the economy grow.

A federal judge says Washington state may not require pharmacies to sell Plan B or other emergency contraceptives in the face of religious objections by druggists.

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Aetna to give Hispanic-owned businesses and their employees access to individual health care plans.

Bruised from the payroll tax cut brawl, congressional Republicans want to change the subject and push legislation they say would create jobs by promoting transportation and energy projects, cutting business taxes and helping companies raise capital.