Virginia’s 2023 Legislative Session Starts!
January 11, 2023, marks the start of the Virginia General Assembly legislative session and LAJC is ready. Our teams have worked with community groups and advocacy partners throughout the past year to identify priorities and issues of concern that are likely to arise as members bring bills to committees and legislation moves forward in the […]
Read moreUnemployment Insurance Victory
When the pandemic caused mass layoffs in 2020, hundreds of thousands of Virginians found themselves out of work and struggling to pay rent, buy food, afford prescriptions, or make loan payments. The struggle many didn’t expect? Trying to access unemployment insurance funds through the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Instead of receiving the emergency help they […]
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Veto Session Update – 2022 Legislative Session
Every legislative session in Virginia culminates in a brief “Reconvene” or “Veto” session where the General Assembly considers any vetoes or amendments from the Governor. On April 27th, legislators gathered to act on approximately 100 bills that Gov. Youngkin proposed amending, as well as 26 bills that he vetoed. Several of those bills directly implicated our […]
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Statement – Gov. Youngkin’s Vetoes of HB573 & SB279
Outstanding bills for medical treatment are one of the leading causes of debt and bankruptcy, and medical debt is one of the most common debts for which Virginians are sued. Governor Youngkin’s vetoes of Del. Clark’s HB573 and Sen. Deeds’ SB297 have derailed critical, popular, and thoughtfully crafted bipartisan consumer debt reforms for thousands upon […]
Read moreUnemployment Insurance – July 1st Report to Court
Download PDF version here IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Richmond Division ASHLEY COX, et al., Plaintiffs, v. ELLEN MARIE HESS, in her official capacity as Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) […]
Read moreJudge Orders VEC to Fix Issues at the Agency
Judge Orders Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) to End Unemployment Insurance Backlog and Fix Issues at the Agency Legal Aid groups and their Pro Bono Partners will monitor the VEC’s progress to ensure Virginians who have been struggling, often for months, get access to the relief they are owed Richmond, VA – Today, Judge Henry […]
Read moreVEC Attempts to Delay Unemployment Lawsuit
The Virginia Employment Commission Responds to Lawsuit About Delays in Unemployment Payments with…a Request to Delay. Despite having been fully informed about the issues detailed in the lawsuit more than six months ago, the VEC moves to put the case on hold for an extra month. Richmond VA – Yesterday, the Virginia Employment Commission […]
Read moreClass Action Lawsuit – VA Unemployment Insurance
Learn more about the lawsuit and how you can take action here Class Action Lawsuit Filed to Fix Historic Failures by Virginia’s Unemployment Insurance System Legal Aid groups and pro bono partners charge the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) with violating the rights of Virginians who have been cut off benefits without process, or who face […]
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