Rubio, Scott Want To Keep U.S. On Daylight Savings Time
March 13, 2021
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott from Florida have joined six others to reintroduce the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across the country.
The bill reflects the Florida legislature’s 2018 enactment of year-round daylight time; however, for Florida’s change to apply, a change in the federal statute is required. Fifteen other states — Arkansas, Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming — have passed similar laws, resolutions or voter initiatives.
The legislation, if enacted, would apply to those states who currently participate in DST, which most states observe for eight months out of the year. Standard Time, from November to March, is only observed for four months out of the year. The bill would simply negate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year. Many studies have shown that making DST permanent could benefit the economy and the country.
“The call to end the antiquated practice of clock changing is gaining momentum throughout the nation,” Rubio said. “Studies have shown many benefits of a year-round Daylight Saving Time, which is why the Florida legislature voted to make it permanent in 2018. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, and give our nation’s families more stability throughout the year.”
“As Governor of Florida, I was proud to sign legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent and I am continuing this effort in the Senate with my colleague, Senator Rubio. Americans could use a little more sunshine after a long winter and an entire year of staying indoors amid the coronavirus pandemic,” Scott said. “As our state works to fully reopen and bring visitors back safely, this legislation will give families more time to enjoy all that Florida has to offer.”
Year-round DST would reduce car crashes, reduce crime, improve physical fitness, reduce energy use and benefit agriculture, according to the bill sponsors.
Comments
29 Responses to “Rubio, Scott Want To Keep U.S. On Daylight Savings Time”
Mrs. Watson Rick Scott was corrupt before he even became Governor. Fraud and lawsuits.
I have never understood the theory behind “daylight savings time”. You get up in the dark and go to bed while it’s daylight. This is logical? Days are longer in the summer. Therefore it makes sense to add an hour by setting the clocks BACK an hour. That’s when you actually gain an hours daylight. Then it would be daylight when you get up and closer to dusk when you go to bed. This plan would actually save power and make better use of the daylight hours.
Likewise – leap forward in the winter months when days are shorter. You get home BEFORE dark, another energy saver.
Leave it to government to get it backwards.
When Rick Scott was Governor, he was trying to get all of Florida off of Daylight Savings. Understandable, when you become a Senator I guess when go to DC, you become corrupt and a liar like the rest of them.
Might be the only time I have agreed with Rubio and Scott. Stop the time change.
NOT THIS ARGUMENT AGAIN…………..can they PLEASE focus on more important things?!
If OUR senator want DST for year round GREAT.
They can some where else to live beside Florida.
Leave us folks in Northwest Fla. alone.
The only time they want something from us (usually votes)
is when you see or hear from them……
I am all for not changing times anymore. I am the minority though that dislikes daylight savings time and would prefer it on “winter time” all the time.
If they changed the time so that 6am was noon people would feel so much better all the time. Like think about it, everyday would be like sleeping in on a Saturday. And then Saturdays would be like “dude, I slept to 6pm” and your friends would be impressed…
Maybe the Prez could write another executive order…
I think they should change it to the fall back settings it would be harder on parents to get their kids to bed when it is still daylight and it would help businesses because the time would be 2 hrs different instead of 3.
I have never understood the reasoning for keeping this in place. So change it to one or the other, already! Hurry!!!
On my first day of retirement, it was real tempting to take the alarm clock and throw it out into the back yard. That would save lots of time.
Mr. Scott,
I do agree to keep the time set permanently, to me it doesn’t matter which one, I also remember you were proud to sign a bill into law that violated the 2nd Amendment rights of all Florida Citizens between the age of 18-20yrs and 363 days of age shortly before you left the Governor’s Mansion. That Mr. Scott is why I will Never Ever vote yes beside your name for anything and instead write in Donald Duck.
Concerned Citizen
Blah Blah Blah… They pull the same thing every year to get people all on the jazz. Then nothing happens. I personally like daylight savings cause it gives me time to cut grass after work so it doesn’t mess up my weekend with yard chores, but government knows best! (Oh that’s right they can afford ground keepers).
Haven’t heard much lately from Scott. With all the mess in the country this is the most important thing he is pushing. Must be good for his businesses.
@James, It is a National issue, If only certain states change, it will create problems because of Time zone changes across the country rendering time zones useless when half or more of a time zone is not on the same time.
I hate DST but I hate the changing it back and forth every 6 months even more. I say keep it in Standard Time . It worked fine for centuries. But pick one and stop the change. It is so hard on students and the elderly.
I say Leave it on standard time.
If dst does all the things the article says, reduce crime, improve physical fitness, save energy, and improve agruculture then changing the time by 2 hours would be even better.
I’m all for it if the rest of the country does it.
Leave it on sun time , no manipulation.
Iam all for leaving it on daytime savings!! Where do we vote???
just do it.
I am so ready
So ready for this
As the federal law currently stands, States can only elect to stay on Standard time if they wish to. Why can’t Rubio-Scott simply introduce a bill that changes the low to allow each State the added option of staying on daylight saving time? That would solve Florida’s issue. Why do they always have to overreach and make it something that affects the entire country when all they represent is Florida, not everyone. It’s the reason the Federal government has gotten out of control.
Rubio and Scott pulled this same stunt a few years ago. The Florida voters already passed this change. The State legislature should petition for the change. However, Rubio and Scott want to make this a national issue where it is extremely unlikely to draw enough favor.
LOL, that makes too much sense. the government will never go for it.
Please leave the time alone.
YES…I’ve wanted this to become reality for many years now, hope they will pass this SPA this time around.