Daylight Saving Time is the bi-annual tradition of pushing the clocks forward by an hour in the spring and then back by an hour again during the fall. The practice has been in place in the United States since sometime around 1918. The concept had originally been introduced by Germany during World War I as a means of conserving energy and power through the extension of daylight hours.
The practice has been met with its fair share of conflicting opinions over the years. Some people remain indifferent to this mild seasonal nuisance whilst others are strongly advocating for change. On one hand, there are groups fighting to make Daylight Saving Time the permanent norm, whilst slightly opposing groups want the practice to be abolished entirely. The bottom line is that people seem to have had enough of the practice entirely and no longer wish to change their clocks every so often.
Now, a senator from New York is showing a renewed effort towards his push to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.
New York Senator pushes to end Daylight Saving Time
The past weekend saw locals “springing forward” by an hour with their clocks on March 9 as Daylight Saving Time came into effect for the year. State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-C-Rome) is making up for the lost hour by renewing his efforts towards making Daylight Saving Time permanent for New York.
Senator Griffo and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara have been working together for years on proposed legislation that would allow for the practice of changing the clocks every spring and fall to end in the state. Senate Bill 3380, which is the latest bill proposed by the pair, aims to establish Daylight Saving Time as year-long standard for the state of New York.
Senator Griffo has also shared that he often hears complaints from his constituents regarding this issue. The common sentiment is that the people have grown weary of switching back and forth from Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time each year.
“There’s overwhelming consensus right now, and it’s evident by recent Gallup polls, that the American citizens and residents of our district don’t like the changes twice a year,” Sen. Griffo confirmed.
Making Daylight Saving Time permanent rather than abolishing it for Standard Time seems to be the overwhelming choice according to Sen. Griffo.
“Many people come to me and say we want whatever makes it lighter longer, and that’s Daylight Saving Time, so that’s why we’ve proposed making it permanent,” he shared and locals residing in Broome County have shared their agreement with this.
Carol Todd, a local resident shared, “I would like to not have to change in the fall and spring as we do now. Personally, I like Daylight Saving Time; I like it staying light later in the day.”
Why advocate for this change now?
According to Sen. Griffo, abolishing the decades old clock changing practice does not only mean more daylight and one thing less on the to-do list, it will also increase safety in New York.
Sen. Griffo has explained that, “There are studies that show that longer periods of daylight provide for more safety, relative to fighting crime, lowering energy costs, and to road conditions.”
Additionally, “studies show that longer periods of daylight provide more safety, reduce car accidents, lower energy costs, and even fight crime,” he stated. “If we could all express our interest in having consistent time, preferably Daylight Saving Time, the federal government might act.”
Sen. Griffo has been collaborating with legislators in other Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as in Canadian provinces with the aim of forming a regional compact to support a permanent Daylight Saving Time.
“If we could all express our interests and desire to have a consistent time, preferably daylight savings time, then maybe the federal government would act,” he added.