Sen. Paul Bettencourt has filed SJR 59 which will force a vote on the idiotic Daylight Savings Time.
Senator Bettencourt Says Let Texans Vote on Daylight Saving Time
SJR 59 would let voters decide to eliminate the time shift that will occur this weekend
Fall vote stops “spring forward”AUSTIN – Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) filed SJR 59 to let Texans vote on the elimination of Daylight Saving Time. If the voters approve, this would group Texas in with Arizona and Hawaii, the only two states that do not currently observe daylight saving time in the United States.
“When you think of hot button public policy issues what usually comes to mind are things such as property tax relief and school finance and pension reform. However, the issue of Daylight Saving Time has roused passions on both sides of the debate for over 100 years,” said Senator Bettencourt. “Giving Texans the opportunity to vote on the issue will settle the debate once and for all in the Lone Star State!”
SJR 59 would apply to all portions of Texas using Central Standard Time as well as Mountain Standard Time. If passed, the bill would require a vote on the November 5, 2019 general election where Texas voters would decide whether or not to abolish daylight saving time. If approved by the voters, the change would take effect in 2020. Daylight Saving Time was first enacted in the United States during World War I but was repealed in 1919 over the veto of President Woodrow Wilson. It was restarted during World War II but again repealed three weeks after the end of the war during the Truman Administration. What remained was a patchwork quilt until Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, which allows States to remain on standard time if they wish.
“I have advocated for a public policy of ‘let the people vote’ when it comes to pension obligation bonds and rollback elections regarding their property tax bills,” continued Senator Bettencourt. “The issue of Daylight Saving Time is no different. Let the people vote and trust their vote!”
One major justification given for Daylight Saving Time is that it reduces energy consumption. Studies on the issue have been mixed however, with a 2008 Department of Energy study finding that an extended Daylight Saving Time “saved about 0.5 percent (1.3 billion kilowatt hours) in total electricity per day” over a four week extension. A University of California Santa Barbara study however found that when Indiana moved to a statewide system in 2006 it caused a 1% increase in residential electricity use.
“Instead of fall back and spring forward it would be a fall vote to stop a spring forward!” quipped Senator Bettencourt.
Senator Bettencourt currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Property Tax and he sits on the Senate Finance, Senate Education, and Senate Higher Education Committees. Senator Bettencourt also serves as the Chairman of the Texas Senate Republican Caucus. He plans to file additional legislation before Friday’s deadline.
Gosh I hope this happens. Unfortunately it won’t happen before Sunday, when we have to “spring forward” for an artificial “extra hour” of daylight.