Just a few weeks after Moore State Rep. Kevin West apparently lost his bid for House approval of a move to lock Oklahoma into standard time and stop the changing of clocks twice a year, maybe his call is getting a resurrection in Congress.
It’s been reported Democrats and Republicans are joining forces in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee to end what has been an annoying move to some Americans. Committee chairman, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas called it “more than annoyance.”
As news came of the bi-partisan support last week, it reminded us of Rep. West’s recent failed bid to get support for his House Bill 1223 which would have established year-round standard of time in Oklahoma after daylight saving time ends Nov. 2. The bill failed to pass the House and advance to the Senate.
“Congratulations to all the members who voted no on this bill,” West said on the floor of the House a few weeks ago. “You just ensured that we will continue to change the clocks twice each year, even though the majority of Oklahomans want us to lock the clock.”
Last year, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law Senate Bill 1200 which stated that should the federal government authorize daylight saving time year round, Oklahoma will do the same.
As the House announcement of West’s failed bill stated, West said this was tried before. In 1974, the entire nation was mandated to go to daylight saving time. That winter, several states, including Oklahoma, petitioned the federal government to end it because the sun wasn’t up until after 8 a.m. There were complaints of children going to school in the dark and employees starting the work day before the sun rose. The act ultimately was repealed in 1975.
“I’m disappointed this legislation failed,” West said. “I feel the majority of Oklahomans do not want their clocks to keep changing twice each year. They will have to let their voices be heard on this matter.”
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