Whether you love it or hate it, tomorrow at 2 a.m., our clocks change as Daylight Savings Time comes to an end. On the positive side, we get an extra hour!
If you’ve ever wondered why we do it at all, here’s an interesting article from the New York Times. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t because of farmers. The practice actually dates back to achieving a uniform time for trains (and there is modest energy savings), but mostly it’s because Daylight Savings Time encourages people to spend more time and money after the work day because it stays light longer. It’s the economy!
Lately, our clock-changing tradition has gotten much attention and could even come to an end. Last March, the U.S. Senate unanimously, (yes, unanimously!) passed a bill to end the seasonal time shifts and make Daylight Savings Time permanent. The bill has not passed the House, but if it does, and President Biden signs it, we’ll stop changing our clocks effective November 2023.
In 2018, California voters overwhelming approved Proposition 7 authorizing the legislature to change the dates and times of the daylight saving time (DST) period, consistent with federal law establishing permanent, year-round standard time or permanent, year-round DST (if federal law is changed to allow for permanent DST). So we are ready for either one in California.
Until then, though, don’t forget to change your clock – that is, if have you any! As my daughter told me, “Thanks for the reminder, but I literally don’t own anything that won’t reset itself!”
