Eviction ban legality - US births decline - Gig worker reclassification

Federal decisions, like the one issued Wednesday, are significant but serve as guidance rather than an order — although an unequivocal ruling from a prominent federal court is likely to sway some local judges. Two other federal courts have upheld the moratorium, adding to the confusion about its fate. Most states have enacted their own eviction freezes.
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Housing analysts warned that Wednesday’s ruling could embolden more landlords to begin eviction proceedings before the federal government can disburse $45 billion in emergency housing assistance. Despite the sharp economic downturn created by the pandemic, eviction filings declined 65% in 2020 over the usual annual rate.
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“With rental assistance secured, the economy strengthening and unemployment rates falling, there is no need to continue a blanket, nationwide eviction ban,” the National Association of Realtors said. [Landlords] have questioned the constitutionality of tethering a major intervention in the housing market to a statute intended to stop disease.