A Time Change: Trump Backs Permanent Daylight Saving

Legislation in Congress calls for never falling back
By Bob Cronin,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 11, 2019 2:21 PM CDT
A Time Change: Trump Backs Permanent Daylight Saving
An employee adjust hands on a tower clock in Medfield, Mass.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

The movement to spring forward year-round gained a big supporter Monday, when President Trump tweeted: "Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me!" Three Republicans from Florida introduced legislation in Congress this month that would put an end the November change back to standard time, the Hill reports. A similar measure went nowhere last year. At the moment, federal law permits states to stay on standard time all year but not daylight saving time, per the Los Angeles Times.

While research shows daylight saving time can affect mental and physical health, Psychology Today reports there are steps that can prevent problems when the time change rolls around. As for why we do it, the tale that Benjamin Franklin is behind the concept might not be accurate, per Forbes, but it might be all about the Benjamins—often encoded in tax and energy policy. An unrelated monetary benefit? The Brookings Institute found that daylight saving time means fewer evening robberies, with no corresponding increase in morning robberies. (Finns are sick of daylight saving time.)

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