[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by RAAndre

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]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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