Get started ‘On’ Mar. 30: House OKs Senate-doomed budget, unemployment claims continue declining

Our daily blend of the latest news, trends and tips for the small business community.

What’s going ‘on’:

House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) holds up a copy of his budget plan, which passed through the House on Thursday. (Jacquelyn Martin - AP) House approves budget plan: The House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $3.5 trillion budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on a 228 to 191 vote, largely along party lines. The plan is expected to be rejected by the Democrat-controlled Senate, but the House vote is significant for the opportunity it presented both parties to lay down a marker on the nation’s key fiscal issues heading into the November election campaign.

Unemployment applications dip to 4-year low: Applications for jobless benefits fell by 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 359,000, the fewest applicants since April 2008, according to the latest data from the Labor Department. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, declined to 365,000, the fewest for that measure since May 2008.

Mobile tech entrepreneur tapped to lead PayPal: EBay has named mobile technology entrepreneur David Marcus president of PayPal, a move that reflects the importance of the company’s push into mobile payments and brick-and-mortar retailers (not just online payments). Marcus first came to PayPal last year when parent company EBay acquired his mobile payments firm, Zong.

Keep an eye ‘on’:

Bernanke expects economic growth rate to return to normal: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says he thinks the United States economy will return to its long-term growth of around 3 percent a year despite the weaknesses it still faces. The chairman made his observation in his final lecture to George Washington University students on Thursday.

Helpful advice ‘on’:

How to ditch your business in time for retirement (OSB)

How to outsource tasks for the first time (Startup America)

How an internship program can solve your HR woes (NFIB)

How to acquire new customers via social media (Mashable)

How to launch a new business on a tiny budget (PC World)