Started by Heather Mitchell
Jul 22, 2026

Hello Lopezians-

A bill has just passed the house of representatatives--the Sunshine protection act--which would make daylight savings time permanent.

There is a great summary of the reasons why this has health consequences in a recent post by Your Local Epidemiologist.

https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/ending-clock-changes-but-which-direction

The main issues are that permanent daylight savings impacts our circadian rhythms--we are wired for sunlight in the morrning and darkness at night--and this impact results in health condsequences.

It also means for us folks way up north that after winter solstice the sun will rise after 8 AM.

The good news is that there is another bill on it's way called the Sunshine for our Kids act. If passed this bill would put us on Standard time permanently.

Please call Maria Cantwell at 425 303 0114 and Patty Murray at 425 259 6515 to urge them to vote no on permanent daylight savings time and yes on permanent standard time.

Keeping us on one time has numerous health and safety benefits--it just needs to be standard time.

Comment by Julienne Battalia
Aug 6, 2026

Standard time is better for our bodies.

Comment by Barbara Keller
Aug 4, 2026

I too am in the permanent daylight savings camp. I would rather have my extra daylight in the evenings when I am more likely to be out and about. For some they might rather have daylight when they arrive home from work. There is also the argument,the original one: it saves energy.

Comment by Chris Greacen
Jul 25, 2026

Hope it's OK to disagree. I'm in the "permanent daylight savings" camp. For me, the deal breaker with standard time is the 4:20p sunset in winter time. Too dark too early! I'd much rather have sunset at 5:20p even if it means it's an hour late to get light in the morning.
... Read All

Comment by Charles (Rick) Gadd
Jul 23, 2026

The scientific consensus is that permanent standard time is healthier and safer, although a majority of the public seem to think permanent daylight saving is better for the evening daylight. Permanent DST has failed though historically because of the dark winter mornings.
What I would like to see is permanent Universal Time wher ... Read All

Comment by James Rapson
Jul 22, 2026

Thanks for posting those hours, Callie. For me the two solstices, and the contrasts between standard & daylight savings, illustrates the differences beautifully.

I'm convinced that my own life would be better with year-round standard time, but I know there are many others who want daylight sa ... Read All

Comment by Callie North
Jul 22, 2026

Washington State ::

Permanent standard time

Summer Solstice
Sunrise: 4:11 AM
Sunset: 8:10 PM

Winter Solstice
Sunrise: 7:55 AM
Sunset: 4:20 PM

Permanent daylight saving time

Summer Solstice
Sunrise: 5:11 AM
Sunset: 9:10 PM

Winter Solstice
Sunrise: 8:55 AM
Sunset: 5:20 PM