As Halloween sunsets in Portland at 5:33 p.m., Maine’s residents are watching the clock—and the debate—tick toward a possible end to twice‑yearly time changes.
Key points
- Maine’s public and many of its elected officials favor ending twice‑yearly clock changes in favor of permanent daylight‑saving time.
- A federal bill to make daylight‑saving time permanent passed the House but remains blocked in the Senate, with Maine’s senators split between supporting the change and broader Senate opposition.
- Opponents argue that permanent daylight‑saving time would darken winter mornings, while supporters cite health, safety, and routine benefits.
On Halloween this year the sun will set in Portland at 5:33 p.m., and a day later the clocks will jump back an hour, delivering a 61‑minute earlier sunset as the region returns to standard time. The shift has sparked renewed calls in Maine for a single, year‑round time that would eliminate the twice‑annual clock change.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill over the summer that would make daylight‑saving time permanent nationwide, with broad bipartisan support that included Maine’s Representatives Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree. The measure, however, has stalled in the Senate, where legislation often moves more slowly.
State support for year‑round daylight saving
Both of Maine’s senators have voiced support for keeping daylight‑saving time year‑round. Republican Susan Collins warned that changing clocks twice a year “has been linked to higher rates of accidents, depression and other health issues,” while independent Angus King said he is “tired of 4 p.m. sunsets and time‑change whiplash that throws our collective routines out of whack.” Even former President Donald Trump, who the columnist describes as “wrong about almost everything,” noted that a “vast majority of the country want it” and urged passage of the measure.
Opposition to permanent daylight saving time includes Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, who warned that such a change would make “winter a dark and dismal time for millions of Americans.” The columnist points out that Maine’s own winters are already dark and cold, regardless of the clock setting.
Federal bill stalls in the Senate
At the state level, independent gubernatorial candidate and former state senator Rick Bennett secured a unanimous legislative endorsement last year for a bill to end the clock‑changing shuffle. Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson also advocated for permanent daylight saving time, arguing that longer morning light would make early‑morning winter bus rides safer for schoolchildren.
The contrast between strong local support and a stalled federal effort highlights the complexity of changing a practice that has been in place for decades. As Maine residents await a possible resolution, the debate underscores how a seemingly small adjustment to the clock can ripple through public health, transportation safety, and everyday routines.
Reader questions
What does the federal bill propose?
The legislation would stop the United States from changing clocks twice a year, making daylight‑saving time the year‑round standard.
Which Maine officials support permanent daylight saving time?
Supporters include Rep. Jared Golden, Rep. Chellie Pingree, Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. Angus King, former State Sen. Rick Bennett, and Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson.
Who opposes the move and why?
Sen. Tom Cotton and other opponents argue that permanent daylight‑saving time would make winter mornings darker, potentially affecting safety and daily life.
Source: pressherald.com