To Change Or Not To Change
To change or not to change, that’s the question that comes up every year, at the time of the year.
Daylight Saving Time
I’m talking about moving our clocks back this weekend. Why we do it and why we move them forward in the Spring and will we always continue to do this?
Back in March, if you remember, the Senate voted to put a stop next year to the twice-annual changing of the clocks. Supporters will say it will mean brighter afternoons and more economic activity.
The Senate may have decided what to do, but the House isn’t close to a decision. Frank Pallone, who chairs the Energy And Commerce Committee that has jurisdiction over the issue, said in a statement that the House is still trying to figure out how to move forward.
Talking to the legislative aides, they don’t expect Congress to reach an agreement before the end of this year. If they don’t, supporters in the Senate would need to reintroduce the bill next year.
A Little History
Daylight-saving time has been with us since the 1960s. Seems longer doesn’t it? Year-round daylight-saving time was used during World War II and again in 1973 in a bid to reduce energy use because of an oil embargo and was repealed a year later.
Congress can’t decide which should be the permanent choice. Here’s what supporters say, making the change would allow children to play outdoors later and might reduce seasonal depression. It might also prevent the slight uptick in automobile accidents that typically occur around time changes. Notably with deer.
Those not in favor site that it will force many children to walk to school in the dark during the winter.
In the last seven years, about 30 states have introduced or passed legislation to end the twice-yearly changing of the clocks, with some states saying they’ll only do it if neighboring states do the same.
If you would like to read more on the topic, click here.
