Time to agree on this change

Here is a nonpartisan issue that this community – and indeed, every resident in the state – can rally around in agreement: putting our Washington on standard time year round. That is right: ditching the semi-annual spring ahead fall back scenario of artificially changing sunrise and sunset by moving clocks ahead an hour in March and returning them to standard time in November.

Once again Yakima Valley Republican state Sen. Jim Honeyford has a bill in the Washington State Legislature for year round time. He has bipartisan support for it, but as of last week none of our District 10 representatives have signed on. They need to. Here is an opportunity for greater La Conner to join together in nonpartisan fashion in support.

Think of it: La Conner voices unified in their call for “natural time defined by the sun,” as Jay Pea, founder of the nonprofit Save Standard Time, testified. As he told legislators, federal legislation is not needed for this state law to take effect. Congress must approve permanent daylight time for states, one more bill they cannot pass.

Study after study has shown that standard time is healthier for all of us, young and old, urban and rural, Republican and Democrat. Senate Bill 5511 states:

“Research has shown that changing to and from daylight saving time twice per year has negative impacts on public health, increases traffic accidents and crime, disrupts agriculture scheduling and hinders economic growth. Scientific studies have connected a number of health consequences with the act of switching between standard time and daylight saving time, including greater risks of heart attacks, more frequent workplace injuries and increased suicide rates in the days immediately following the switch.”

“Standard time is much better than permanent daylight savings time,” University of Washington Professor Horacio de la Iglesia told the committee. He researches sleep and circadian rhythms and noted that later sunrises on winter mornings under permanent daylight saving time would be “particularly detrimental” for young people attending school.

The Committee on State Government and Elections held its hearing the legislature’s first week. A companion bill has not been filed in the House of Representatives. Reps. Dave Paul and Greg Gilday can show bi-partisan leadership and an example for citizens and fellow legislators alike by jointly sponsoring companion legislation.

The Senate bill has six co-sponsors, two Democrats and four Republicans, including Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley. Co-sponsorship by Paul and Gilday will show regional cooperation on this issue.

Senator Liz Lovelett, D-Anacortes, advocated for standard time and was one of two votes against permanent daylight savings time in 2019. Area residents will increase momentum by reaching out to her for co-sponsorship and advocacy of the bill.

The 60 day legislative session is scheduled to end March 10. Here is a community good that benefits all of us that we can achieve together. It will be great to gain this victory this winter.

Heaven knows we need more sunshine in our individual and collective lives.

Time is of the essence.

Contact your District 10 legislators:

Sen. Ron Muzzall: (360) 786-7618; [email protected].

Rep. Greg Gilday: (360) 939-1211; [email protected].

Rep. Dave Paul: (360) 553-4226; [email protected].

District 40 Sen. Liz Lovelett: (360) 786-7678; [email protected].