South Kent News

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Thomas Albert has introduced a proposal that would give Michigan voters the opportunity to determine the fate of daylight saving time. Albert's Senate Bill 770 aims to put the question of continuing with daylight saving time on the ballot for Michigan voters in the November 2024 election.

"It has been more than 100 years since our nation first experimented with daylight saving time, and we find ourselves still asking the same question: Why do we do this?" Albert expressed. "I, for one, cannot find a valid reason. It seems to me that changing our clocks twice a year is a poor and unnecessary policy. But I know opinions differ, and daylight saving time affects every Michigander in some way. That is why I propose putting this to a vote of the people."

Daylight saving time, which begins on Sunday, March 10, and ends in early November this year, involves moving clocks forward one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall. If Michigan were to adopt year-round standard time, the biannual time change would be discontinued.

The practice of daylight saving time in the U.S. dates back to World War I and World War II, purportedly to reduce energy consumption. While it was later codified into federal law in 1966, states have the authority to opt out. Michigan voters initially rejected daylight saving time in 1968 before later allowing its reintroduction in 1972.

Albert highlighted the inconclusive evidence regarding the efficacy of daylight saving time in reducing energy usage and raised concerns about potential health and safety issues associated with the springtime clock change. "After 52 years, it is time to let voters weigh in on this issue once again," he emphasized.

The proposal by Sen. Albert seeks to engage the citizens of Michigan in determining the future of daylight saving time, a tradition that has persisted for decades despite ongoing debates about its practicality and impact.

Senator Thomas Albert encouraged individuals to subscribe to his email list to stay informed about state government matters and provided his contact information for further engagement.