HARRISBURG – As millions of Pennsylvanians turn their clocks forward this weekend, Senator Scott Martin (R-13) is renewing his call to make daylight saving time permanent and eliminate the twice-yearly time changes.
Martin introduced Senate Resolution 36 this week urging Congress to make daylight saving time permanent. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 13 states have enacted legislation in support of this concept over the last three years.
“There is a common misconception that the transition between standard and daylight saving time helps farmers, but in reality, this archaic tradition has nothing to do with helping the agricultural community,” Martin said. “Studies have demonstrated that the time change does far more harm than good for the U.S. economy and for the welfare of our citizens. Permanent daylight saving time would provide more hours of daylight in the evening, when families spend most of their time together. I am hopeful that Congress will take action to end this ritual in the near future.”
Daylight saving time began as an energy-saving measure in World War I and was made permanent for most states in 1966 with passage of the Uniform Time Act. However, studies show that the twice-a-year time change results in more accidents, health problems and a loss of productivity of more than $400 million annually.
Eliminating the transition between standard time and daylight saving time would require action at the federal level. Arizona and Hawaii are currently exempt from time changes resulting from daylight saving time, while exemptions from standard time have been proposed in Maine, Massachusetts and Florida.
CONTACT: Terry Trego (717) 787-6535