Politics

Mo. State Rep. Wants To 'Eliminate' Daylight Saving Time By Adopting It Permanently

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin,

Marshall Griffin

Published March 1, 2013 at 4:19 PM CST

Legislation in the Missouri House would permanently adopt Daylight Saving Time as the new Standard Time, but only if 20 other states also agree to do so.

House Bill 340 would create a pact with other states to “eliminate” Daylight Saving Time by renaming it the new “Standard Time.” And once 20 or more states join the pact, they’ll spring forward one hour and permanently remain there. It’s sponsored by State Representative Delus Johnson (R, St. Joseph).

“The only question I had on this (is whether) children are gonna be at bus stops in the dark," Johnson said. "The majority of accidents that have occurred at bus stops occur in the daytime between 3:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon.”

Johnson says having an extra hour of afternoon sunlight year-round would also spur more economic activity.

“In the fall, it’s going to incite more tourism – people are gonna be able to travel a little bit later in the day with sunlight," Johnson said. "It’s gonna spur a little bit more economic development with that extra sunlight where people are out visiting (during) retail hours, and then when it’s been in effect for a year we’ll see the same effect the following spring when we still have sunlight earlier in the year, instead of having to change our clocks.”

The bill is scheduled for a House committee vote next week.

A reminder: Daylight Saving Time begins March 10th at 2:00 a.m.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport

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Marshall Griffin

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.

See stories by Marshall Griffin

Marshall Griffin

St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.