During the General Assembly’s reconvened session held on April 8, the Virginia House of Delegates rejected Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s amendment to Senate Bill 1525. The amendment would have given the Commonwealth of Virginia $125.5 million in federal stimulus dollars to be used for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. This rejection, almost exclusively along party lines in a 53-46 vote, was a terrible mistake and grievous loss to 300,000 unemployed citizens across the commonwealth.

House Republicans, especially a 29-year businessman like myself, clearly understand—and are experiencing—how tough the economy is. If you are one of the thousands of Virginians who are unemployed, the pain caused by this recession is real and imme diate. We know “it’s the economy, stupid”! We are very focused on implementing good public policy that will stimulate Virginia’s economy and create good-paying jobs.

Virginia has a great opportunity to help unemployed workers and their families, and boost the state’s economy—and Virginia would get paid millions of dollars to do it. That’s an offer the state’s poli cymakers shouldn’t leave on the table. The recently enacted federal stimulus legislation provides Virginia with $188 million to reform the state’s outdated unemployment insurance system. Sure there’s a catch. The state would have to make specific changes. But the good news is that they are changes that will help the state do a better job of helping unemployed workers and their families make ends meet.

Economists with the Virginia Employment Commission predict the unemployment rate will average 6.2 percent this year. If that holds true, the trust fund that pays out benefits will likely need a loan in 2010. “Right now, we have enough money to get us through this year, but about this time next year, we’ll be out of money,“ commission senior economist James Wilson said.

Employment Transitions workshop: This free seminar will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave. in Richmond. Unemployment benefits, insurance, résumé writing, interview skills, credit counseling and other topics will be discussed. Registration is requested, though not mandatory, by Feb. 18. Box lunches will be available for purchase. The workshop is sponsored by First Baptist Church and Needle’s Eye Ministries. To sign up or find out more information, go to http://www.FBCRichmond.org.