Florida’s one (big) supporter closer to ending time changes
Bottom Line: Last week Senators Rubio and Scott along with Florida representative Vern Buchannan in the US House, proposed ending Florida’s time changes once and for all. Last year, then Governor Rick Scott, signed into law in the state of Florida – the ending of time changes. Under the Florida law, Day Light Saving Time, which we’ve re-entered, is where we’d stay.
The proposal requires federal approval as well which is where Rubio, Scott and others come into play. Needing an act of congress and the president’s signature isn’t the easiest accomplishment but we got the biggest endorsement of all yesterday when President Trump made clear he’d sign it into law if it reached him. His tweet said: “Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me!”
To date the biggest opposition has apparently come from those concerned with students walking to bus stops and potentially waiting in the dark. That’s not an illegitimate point but it seems like something that’s manageable. It also doesn’t negatively impact every Floridian the way our current time changes do. Counting on congress isn’t something you hold your breath over but now that’s literally the only step left between us and 24 hours a day year-round in Florida. It is worth fighting for especially economically.
Using the most conservative economic impact of the time change, 2.2% during the fall time change period, Florida loses out on at least $12.1 billion of economic activity. Just in case you needed any incentive to be supportive.