Amanda Fries is reporting for Capitol Confidential the state Office of Court Administration has decided to strictly limit eviction proceedings and extend a moratorium on carrying out evictions until October 1. State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, chair of the Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development, said the court’s latest announcement is a welcome response to the ongoing public health and economic crises the state faces from the coronavirus pandemic. Since March, Kavanagh, and other elected officials and housing advocates have called for a pause on evictions during the pandemic. “I thank the leadership of our court system for continuing to recognize this today; for taking action consistent with the many other emergency measures that public agencies have implemented during this extraordinary time; and for providing relief from the threat of eviction for all residential tenants, at least for the next seven weeks,” Kavanaugh said. Many tenants have been unable to afford rent since the COVID-19 crisis began, forcing businesses to close or to ask employees to work from home and leaving millions out of work. While the Legislature allocated $100 million to assist families with paying rent and mortgage payments, lawmakers recognized that more funding would be necessary. Officials hope is that additional federal funds will be earmarked for housing assistance. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.