Publisher’s Points to Ponder: Daylight Saving Disaster?

For some reason, I am struggling to get back in sync with the 2019 daylight saving time (DST). I was on schedule, and things were fantastic; at least until the time change kicked in. I lost an hour having to spring forward. Also, I feel like the days are ending faster with the new time. I wish we could stick to one standard time without having to toggle between springing forward and falling back every year. Let’s follow Arizona’s lead and ask our congress the interesting question as to whether the DST change still necessary?

More states are questioning the necessity of daylight saving time stating that the concept is antiquated. Citizens in a few states have started campaigns to end the use of daylight saving time. On the other hand, some argue that making a permanent switch from daylight saving time can impact the economy and cause crime to rise with the shorter daylight.

World War I (1914-1918) marks the first use of daylight saving time in the U.S., which began as an alternative for fuel conservation that was needed to produce electric power. DST was officially enacted in the U.S. in March 1918. After the war ended, states continued to observe DST until the law was repealed making DST a local option that a few states and cities continued to follow.

During World War II (1939-1945), President Roosevelt mandated yearround daylight saving time that became known as “Wartime” throughout the last three years of WWII. After the war ended, there were no federal laws that mandated the observation of daylight saving time. States and municipalities had the freedom to choose whether they wanted to observe DST, and they could decide the beginning and ending dates, too. Along with the freedom to choose, came confusion mainly in the broadcasting and transportation industries which had to publish schedules frequently. The chaos ended when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act into law in 1966. With this law, daylight saving time was set to begin on the last Sunday of April and end on the last Sunday of October. However, states still reserved the right to be exempt by passing a state law.

Since that time, this issue has returned to the congressional floor many times, with various presidents and legislators. Perhaps it is time to ask our legislators to consider exempting our state—especially if this time change is not needed to conserve anything. Texas first observed daylight saving time in 1970 according to TimeandDate.com. I ponder over the exemption of Texas all together. We pledge allegiance to Texas, one state under God…and one time?

Please participate in our Facebook poll to let us know if you believe Texas should be exempt from daylight saving time.

CURRENT POLL 63% VOTE FOR DISMISSAL