Are we going to be turning our clocks back next month or not?

[BostonRich]

Senator Rubio introduced a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Many states including Florida have passed legislature to do this and many others have shown the desire to join in but it all has to be approved by Congress.

I haven't heard anything more about this and I did email Senator Rubio's office but got no reply yet. It's getting close to the turn-back day and boy could we use a little more brightness in our lives this dreary year. Nothing is more depressing than when it gets dark so early and there are plenty of studies that show the benefits of the extra hour of sunlight.

Let's hope this law passes and we finally get rid of these annoying time changes. Contact your representatives and support this effort.

Some updated info:

In 2018, California and Florida voted to make DST permanent. The Florida Sunshine Protection Act was passed in the state Legislature with overwhelming support for year-round daylight saving time. While California voters authorized the change, legislative action is still pending.

In 2019, six more states passed legislation for year-round DST, if authorized by Congress: Arkansas, Delaware, Maine, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.

In 2020 seven more states have enacted legislation: Utah, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Wyoming.

As of September 1, 2020, at least 32 states have considered 85 pieces of legislation.

[davem4616]

I believe that I read that it would take an act of Congress to stop the seasonal clock changes

however, right now they're all pretty busy pointing fingers at one another, appearing on talk shows, raising money and trying to get re-elected to do anything that might add value

[Two Bills]

As a kid in UK during WW2, I loved the two hours forward double summer time, when it never got dark untill after midnight.

[BostonRich]

I believe that I read that it would take an act of Congress to stop the seasonal clock changes

however, right now they're all pretty busy pointing fingers at one another, appearing on talk shows, raising money and trying to get re-elected to do anything that might add value

True, but I bet even they would like to take a break from all of the hostility and have an issue that they could all come together and agree on. It would be refreshing. Why would anyone oppose this?

[Malsua]

I'm surprised the insurance companies haven't pushed for this.

There is an uptick in deadly accidents just after the time changes. I believe the spring forward one is worse than the fall back one.

[Bjeanj]

I heard the same thing that davem said; that it requires an act of Congress. Consequently, I don’t think that’s going to happen.

[Stu from NYC]

Congress do something useful, now?

[BostonRich]

Did some research. Congress referred this legislation on 03/07/2019 to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Apparently the head of that subcommittee, Senator Maria Cantwell (D - Washington) has decided to just not act on it. There it sits collecting dust. Why should this one person decide to ignore what most of the country wants?

BTW - I did send a message via her website and received this response:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact my office. I appreciate hearing from you about the important issues facing our nation, and will certainly keep your views in mind as I work with my colleagues in the Senate. Due to the high volume of incoming emails, I am only able to respond to inquiries from constituents in Washington State . . . and I thank you again for taking the time to write."

I do hope at least someone read it.

[Topspinmo]

IMO it’s too dark for kids to got to school through November to March.

[Stu from NYC]

Did some research. Congress referred this legislation on 03/07/2019 to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Apparently the head of that subcommittee, Senator Maria Cantwell (D - Washington) has decided to just not act on it. There it sits collecting dust. Why should this one person decide to ignore what most of the country wants?

BTW - I did send a message via her website and received this response:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact my office. I appreciate hearing from you about the important issues facing our nation, and will certainly keep your views in mind as I work with my colleagues in the Senate. Due to the high volume of incoming emails, I am only able to respond to inquiries from constituents in Washington State . . . and I thank you again for taking the time to write."

I do hope at least someone read it.

That is form letter #3.

[BostonRich]

IMO it’s too dark for kids to got to school through November to March.

On this issue, there are plenty of studies that feel a later start to the school day would benefit all students. Young people tend not to be "morning people". Also getting out later in the afternoon might just keep lots of them out of trouble.

Additionally this is the year to try it since many kids are home now anyway.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I'd rather get rid of DST entirely. With DST, school children get up for school while it's still dark outside in the wintertime. People who have to be at work by 7 in the morning, are getting up for work while it's still dark outside. Anyone with an early doctor's appointment will be getting up for it while it's still dark outside.

Agricultural workers, who typically get up before daylight anyway, have to spend an extra hour of work every day in darkness.

The upside to getting rid of DST, and keeping standard time permanently, is that it doesn't require congressional approval. Only KEEPING DST permanent requires that.

If the whole problem is having to do an abrupt shift twice a year, then it shouldn't matter to people against the shift, which 24-hour clock they keep. As long as it stays the same clock all year round.

[bowlingal]

on the night of Oct 31....turn back clocks 1 hour

[MandoMan]

I'd rather get rid of DST entirely. With DST, school children get up for school while it's still dark outside in the wintertime. People who have to be at work by 7 in the morning, are getting up for work while it's still dark outside. Anyone with an early doctor's appointment will be getting up for it while it's still dark outside.

Agricultural workers, who typically get up before daylight anyway, have to spend an extra hour of work every day in darkness.

The upside to getting rid of DST, and keeping standard time permanently, is that it doesn't require congressional approval. Only KEEPING DST permanent requires that.

If the whole problem is having to do an abrupt shift twice a year, then it shouldn't matter to people against the shift, which 24-hour clock they keep. As long as it stays the same clock all year round.

I’m with you! I usually get up between 4:30 and 5:30, and in the winter that means another two or three hours of darkness. I don’t much mind—it’s going to be dark the same number of minutes per day no matter what time we say it is. I enjoy both long days and short days, though what I do in the evening varies with the season. I just don’t like driving in the dark.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I rather go to the one time zone around the world. everyone on the same date and time, GMT. That way, i am not doing constant conversions of meeting times online with people between hawaii and eastern europe. Also, you can pick a time to start your solar dependent activity, the clock won't change, but humans taking advantage of the solar changes throughout the year can just change their time, not the clock.

so too many options in the modern world, unlike the pre 1800's agricultural days, to get a unanimous answer, so no change because change is disruptive and humans don't like change, with some many dependencies.

sportsguy

[billyb1950]

On this issue, there are plenty of studies that feel a later start to the school day would benefit all students. Young people tend not to be "morning people". Also getting out later in the afternoon might just keep lots of them out of trouble. Additionally this is the year to try it since many kids are home now anyway. Hey, stop making excuses for teenagers' behaviors. Teens need to start being "morning people". Their future employers will not accept being late for work (unless they work a second or third shift). Also, "getting out later in the afternoon to keep them out of trouble" is bogus. Buckle up, teens. And parents: STOP HOVERING OVER THEM.

[WindyCityzen]

Senator Cantwell is the minority leader of the committee - not the chair. Republicans chair all Senate committees. Ask them why.

[Bay Kid]

Does anybody really know what time it is?

[mydavid]

Senator Rubio introduced a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Many states including Florida have passed legislature to do this and many others have shown the desire to join in but it all has to be approved by Congress.

I haven't heard anything more about this and I did email Senator Rubio's office but got no reply yet. It's getting close to the turn-back day and boy could we use a little more brightness in our lives this dreary year. Nothing is more depressing than when it gets dark so early and there are plenty of studies that show the benefits of the extra hour of sunlight.

Let's hope this law passes and we finally get rid of these annoying time changes. Contact your representatives and support this effort.

Some updated info:

In 2018, California and Florida voted to make DST permanent. The Florida Sunshine Protection Act was passed in the state Legislature with overwhelming support for year-round daylight saving time. While California voters authorized the change, legislative action is still pending.

In 2019, six more states passed legislation for year-round DST, if authorized by Congress: Arkansas, Delaware, Maine, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.

In 2020 seven more states have enacted legislation: Utah, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Wyoming.

As of September 1, 2020, at least 32 states have considered 85 pieces of legislation. Yes we here in Florida will change our clocks back in Nov.

[JanetMM]

Does anybody really know what time it is?

Does anybody even care, care about time?

[Joe C.]

Why bother to change??? It's going to be the same amount of daylight no matter what the clock is showing. After December 21st, the sun rises about a minute earlier each morning and sets about a minute later every day until June 21st when it reverses this process, taking you back to Dec21st which has the longest darkness and shortest daylight for all of us north of the equator.

Or maybe you could be a real snowbird and head to South America for the winter.

(I know that my post doesn't answer the OP ... it's for all the other commentators).

[Grill Meister]

Did the finger pointing and cross-party bickering and fighting just start recently?

[BS Beef]

Hallelujah and Amen to the OP!!!!!

[BlackhawksFan]

Senator Rubio introduced a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Many states including Florida have passed legislature to do this and many others have shown the desire to join in but it all has to be approved by Congress.

I haven't heard anything more about this and I did email Senator Rubio's office but got no reply yet. It's getting close to the turn-back day and boy could we use a little more brightness in our lives this dreary year. Nothing is more depressing than when it gets dark so early and there are plenty of studies that show the benefits of the extra hour of sunlight.

Let's hope this law passes and we finally get rid of these annoying time changes. Contact your representatives and support this effort.

Some updated info:

In 2018, California and Florida voted to make DST permanent. The Florida Sunshine Protection Act was passed in the state Legislature with overwhelming support for year-round daylight saving time. While California voters authorized the change, legislative action is still pending.

In 2019, six more states passed legislation for year-round DST, if authorized by Congress: Arkansas, Delaware, Maine, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.

In 2020 seven more states have enacted legislation: Utah, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Wyoming.

As of September 1, 2020, at least 32 states have considered 85 pieces of legislation.

As far as I know it was never acted on

[KRM0614]

I believe that I read that it would take an act of Congress to stop the seasonal clock changes

however, right now they're all pretty busy pointing fingers at one another, appearing on talk shows, raising money and trying to get re-elected to do anything that might add value
Don’t know who you are but you just summarized Congress excellently !

[KRM0614]

I'm surprised the insurance companies haven't pushed for this.

There is an uptick in deadly accidents just after the time changes. I believe the spring forward one is worse than the fall back one.
The reason for this originally was for school children walk in g to school or taking the bus

[BostonRich]

Senator Cantwell is the minority leader of the committee - not the chair. Republicans chair all Senate committees. Ask them why.

Okay. After a little more research I found out that Senator Roger Wicker is the Chair. I just wrote him too.

Thanks.

[BostonRich]

Don’t know who you are but you just summarized Congress excellently !

Interestingly there are 13 cosponsors on this bill and 5 are Democrats including Diane Feinstein.

[wiltma]

Did some research. Congress referred this legislation on 03/07/2019 to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Apparently the head of that subcommittee, Senator Maria Cantwell (D - Washington) has decided to just not act on it. There it sits collecting dust. Why should this one person decide to ignore what most of the country wants?

BTW - I did send a message via her website and received this response:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact my office. I appreciate hearing from you about the important issues facing our nation, and will certainly keep your views in mind as I work with my colleagues in the Senate. Due to the high volume of incoming emails, I am only able to respond to inquiries from constituents in Washington State . . . and I thank you again for taking the time to write."

I do hope at least someone read it.

Kind of what Mitch mcconnell does all the time

[La lamy]

On this issue, there are plenty of studies that feel a later start to the school day would benefit all students. Young people tend not to be "morning people". Also getting out later in the afternoon might just keep lots of them out of trouble.

Additionally this is the year to try it since many kids are home now anyway.

I agree with you, but it gets tricky when parents have to still get to work early. Maybe everything should get pushed to start and end later.

[BostonRich]

I agree with you, but it gets tricky when parents have to still get to work early. Maybe everything should get pushed to start and end later.

I kind of remember our high school started at 7:20. That was way earlier than my parents work day start. I think that could have easily been moved an hour later and actually would have better synched with my parent's schedules. This would help for things like family breakfasts and maybe drop offs at school.

Some quick info I found:

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to give students the opportunity to get the amount of sleep they need, but most American adolescents start school too early.

Report from the Sleep Foundation:

Later School Start Times: Benefits & Cons - Sleep Foundation (https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/backgrounder-later-school-start-times)

Couple of excerpts:

Many schools across the country are working to synchronize school clocks with students’ body clocks, so that teens are in school during their most alert hours and can achieve their full academic potential.

There are also safety issues for older students, since violent activities, sex, recreational use of alcohol or drugs, and criminal and other risky behaviors frequently occur between 2 and 4 pm.

[BostonRich]

. . . Also, "getting out later in the afternoon to keep them out of trouble" is bogus.

Absolutely untrue.

There are also safety issues for older students, since violent activities, sex, recreational use of alcohol or drugs, and criminal and other risky behaviors frequently occur between 2 and 4 pm, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[eddie888]

As a teacher for many years, we need the time change. Kids going to school in pitch dark is dangerous. Not to say going to School now with the epidemic is not dangerous. But, let me reiterate going to school in pitch dark is Dangerous.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The reason for this originally was for school children walk in g to school or taking the bus

Not even almost. It wasn't even a consideration. This was a work-schedule issue from the very start, and even the origins of DST, before it became DST, were work-schedule related. It had to do with ensuring that servants, serfs, and slaves would spend every waking hour actually working. The more daylight they forced on the work schedule, the longer that schedule could be and the more they could yank out of the worker's usefulness.

It's hard to pick vegetables out of the ground at night, or pack clay into bricks, when electricity hadn't been discovered yet and lamplight required animal fat, which required people to slaughter animals, which needed to be done when the butchers could actually see the creatures they were butchering.

[joelfmi]

At least you have a senator like Rubio that is listening I cannot say that about a lot of the NY rep.

[Bay Kid]

The reason for this originally was for school children walk in g to school or taking the bus

Instead of disrupting the whole country why not just start school an hour later?

[EdFNJ]

Did some research. Congress referred this legislation on 03/07/2019 to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Apparently the head of that subcommittee, Senator Maria Cantwell (D - Washington) has decided to just not act on it. There it sits collecting dust. Why should this one person decide to ignore what most of the country wants? Yea, been asking the same question about Uncle Mitch for the last 4 years about IMPORTANT things..

[stan the man]

No change means you can ski till 4 pm without getting too dark

[JBarracks]

We should stay on Standard Time, not DST. If we stay on DST all year it will still be dark at 0800 during the winter months. The Kiddies will be waiting for the school bus in the dark.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Some states such as Arizona have done this on their own. I'm not sure the congressional approval is necessary for a state to do it.

However if every state did something different, it would really make a mess. But time zones as they are currently drawn are quite a mess. Some states have little isolated areas that have decided to be in a different time zone. The Hoover Dam is in two different time zones and people that work there have to deal with that.

My idea would be to turn the clocks back a half hour everywhere and leave them alone. Of course, we'd have to get Arizona and any other states that are on permanent time to go along.

I'm not sure that I'd like to stay on DST here in this area. As it is, right now, it doesn't get light until 7:00 am. If I'm not mistaken, originally, the idea of changing the time was so that school children would be going to school in the dark in the morning. In places that have school busses, kids would be waiting at bus stops in the dark.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

My idea of paradise is it gets dark all year round at 6:pm and everyday of the year the temperature stays at 90

[EdFNJ]

My idea of paradise is it gets dark all year round at 6:pm and everyday of the year the temperature stays at 90 Federal law says a state can decide to stay on Standard Time all the time but to make DST standard needs congressional approval.

LINK: Nine states have taken step to stay on daylight saving time - Land Line (https://landline.media/nine-states-have-taken-step-to-stay-on-daylight-saving-time/)