As the session passed its halfway point, 22 of my bills have passed the Senate (including 16 with bipartisan support) and are being considered by the House of Delegates.
Three of my bills can measurably improve the lives of everyday Virginians.
In today’s gig economy many Virginians work jobs without benefits, some as their primary source of income and others in addition to their full time jobs. Families are working harder than ever, but endure ever-increasing employment uncertainty. Additionally, many families in the 39th Senate district have been affected by threats, uncertainty, and cuts made by President Trump to our federal workforce.
Despite Virginians working multiple jobs and longer hours to make ends meet, they are still facing rising prices for groceries, rent, and other necessities.
I have three bills focused on unemployment benefits. The first, SB 878, combines the work of the Commission on Unemployment and the Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee into one to reduce unnecessary duplication. This bill also ensures nonlegislative stakeholders from labor and management continue to play a role in monitoring and evaluating Virginia’s unemployment system.
SB 1056 would increase unemployment insurance weekly benefit amounts by $100 per week. Virginia’s unemployment benefits are too low to assist workers in covering basic necessities. Weekly benefit amounts have not been increased since 2012, and unlike thirty-six other states, Virginia’s benefit amounts do not increase based on a statewide metric. Fewer than 14 of every 100 unemployed workers in Virginia receive any unemployment insurance benefits.
SB 1057 would increase the amount of income that a person qualifying for unemployment could deduct from their benefits from $50 to $100 per week while working part-time. Policy experts in unemployment insurance (UI) have recommended that the earning limit placed on claimants should be set to give them a real incentive to work and hopefully a better chance of leading to full-time work. In Virginia, the income disregard was last revised in 2005. At the time, the minimum hourly wage in Virginia was $5.15. As of 2025, the minimum hourly wage in Virginia is $12.41. The income disregard in Virginia has not kept pace with hourly wage growth. My bill would update our outdated numbers from two decades ago.
In Virginia, I believe every person deserves a fair chance to pursue their career with dignity and professional satisfaction. When hardworking Virginians are faced with unemployment, the support of the Commonwealth can be the difference between a successful career transition and sinking into more difficult situations.
My Role In Standing Up to Regressive Bullying Behavior
It’s important that we all stand up against the bullying behavior impacting federal workers and vulnerable communities that flies in the face of our values and priorities.
Last Wednesday, I joined with State Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, House Speaker Don Scott, and other lawmakers to demand that Governor Youngkin begin to focus on threats 144,483 Virginia federal workers face from Trump.
One constituent’s email stuck with me. She is a mental health professional who has seen a spike in mental health conditions as her clients grapple with uncertainty in Trump’s executive actions and policies. While President Trump seeks to dismantle the federal workforce, including USAID, and Governor Youngkin continues to be more focused on currying President Trump’s favor than doing his job, I will continue to represent you. I will use my platform to denounce President Trump’s antics when they threaten the livelihoods of Northern Virginians.
Thanks for the continued opportunity to serve,
Adam P. Ebbin