Attorney suing the VEC calls pending changes a âbig step forwardâ On Tuesday, Gov. Ralph Northam directed the Virginia Unemployment Commission to invest $20 million to expand the agency's ability to process unemployment insurance claims. and last updated 2021-05-19 18:25:13-04 RICHMOND, Va. -- The lead attorney suing the Virginia Employment Commission on behalf of five plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit applauded Gov. Ralph Northamâs executive directive announcement on Tuesday. On Tuesday, Gov. Ralph Northam directed the Virginia Unemployment Commission to invest $20 million to expand the agency's ability to process unemployment insurance claims. The executive directive will require the agency to add 300 new adjudication staffers, make technology upgrades and modernize Virginia's unemployment insurance system by October 1, 2021.