How many states have approved permanent daylight savings time?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, your big brain, the information provided and any links below:
Biannual (twice a year) time change began as a way to preserve electricity during World War I, but we still have it and on Sunday -as we did in March - most Americans will change their clocks. According to the visual above, how many states have passed laws to make daylight saving time permanent?
According to the visual above, what is your state’s position on daylight saving time.
On Sunday daylight saving time will end and most of the U.S. will fall back to standard time. According to the visual above, which two states have already made standard time permanent?
According to the visual above, 19 states have passed laws for permanent daylight saving time, but they can't act without Congress — and federal efforts have stalled. How does this illustrate the concept of federalism?
Explain how polarization has led to the lack of legislation coming out of congress.
Did you know that for about half of the year the time in Arizona and Utah are different even thought they are neighbors. California voters approved permanent DST back in 2018 via ballot measure, but state lawmakers haven't yet passed the required legislation. How does this illustrate the concept of direct democracy?
The U.S. Senate passed a permanent DST bill in 2022, but it sat idle thereafter. Explain how our bicameral legislature slows the lawmaking process?
DST is "inconvenient" and "very costly," President Trump wrote on social media in December. How is this post an example of the president using the bully pulpit?
Only 25% of people polled want to keep changing their clocks, according to a 2021 AP/NORC survey, yet we still have daylight saving time. Identify two reasons public opinion and policy don’t always align.
While lawmakers have pushed to make it daylight saving time all the time, a number of scientists and researchers say standard time is more aligned with our body clocks — and "daylight saving" time is harmful. Studies say daylight saving time leads to higher rates of cancer, fatal car accidents, mood disorders, and worse academic and running performance. The clock change itself can be harmful: Research suggests that losing an hour of sleep in March contributes to a surge of heart attacks, strokes and car crashes. Explain whether you think we should continue to change clocks twice a year.
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact your member of the U.S. House and let them know what you think about making standard time permanent.
Get Creative
Make a bumper sticker that expresses your feelings about the time change.
Learn more*
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