One Step Closer to Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time.  This is the time when we happen to be the one hour later than it is when we are on Standard Time.  Daylight Saving Time is traditionally the time between March and November before we normally switch back one hour to Standard time.  That hour isn't so bad, the issues usually happen when we have to "spring" forward.  That one hour really can affect people in a negative way.  I know it's only one hour, but that is kind of amazing how much people are affected by that one hour change.

THIS HAS BEEN A DISCUSSION AND DEBATE FOR YEARS

For years, there has been the discussion regarding stopping the time switch. There are a couple of states that do not make the change.  Arizona keeps the same time as does Hawaii.  The rest of the country may follow in their lead.  At least we are one step closer to that becoming a reality.

SOME STATES HAVE ALREADY PASSED LEGISLATION THAT HASN'T GONE FURTHER

There are a few states that have now passed legislation to stop the biannual time change. Minnesota is one of those states, along with 19 others.  The bill that has passed at least the first hurdle is called the Sunshine Protection Act.  Now, that bill has to pass though the Federal Government.

“It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production. It will also be a very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it!” Trump wrote. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Though the House overwhelmingly passed the bill, the Senate is not expected to quickly take it up and pass it as well.

I think we all know the pros of this happening.  There are some cons - at least for some people that make them hesitant to support this bill.

HERE IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN WITHOUT THE TIME CHANGE

The biggest con that people have expressed is the fact that in the winter, the sun would rise a lot later then usual.  It could push sunrise to around 8am, and sometimes, in the darkest times, almost to 9am.

From NBC News:

Pushing the clocks forward creates absurdly late winter sunrises (sometimes 9 a.m. or later in certain parts of the country). This means children would be waiting for the school bus and adults would be commuting to work in pitch black, increasing traffic risks

Does this con outweigh the pros?  We will see.

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