Daylight saving time is here in Texas, like it or not
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It's just about time for light-filled, springtime dinners on the patio after work.
Driving the news: Daylight saving time begins Sunday at 2am, when we'll spring forward one hour.
- That means we'll get an extra hour of light in the evening, but an hour less in the morning.
Why it matters: We all need our beauty sleep and that life-giving energy from the sun.
Yes, but: The practice of changing our clocks twice a year to maximize daylight hours is not popular with everyone.
- Critics of daylight saving time say it's disruptive and antiquated. Supporters of shifting the clocks say the extra hour of light in the evening is crucial and in-tune with our natural body rhythm.
Flashback: Texas lawmakers have long attempted to abolish daylight saving time, but the efforts haven't gained traction.
- A House bill in 2015 did not pass, and bills in 2017 died in committee, per the Texas Tribune.
Zoom in: There are 13 bills pending in Texas so far this year that could affect clock changes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
- At least one bill would put the issue to state voters in November in the form of a constitutional amendment.
Zoom out: At least 21 other states considered or are considering legislation related to daylight saving time this year, per the National Conference of State Legislatures.
- At least 19 states have enacted legislation that would implement year-round daylight saving time if Congress were to allow it.
- Arizona and Hawaii don't change their clocks.
💠Megan's thought bubble: I'm rooting for us to keep changing our clocks twice a year, an apparently unpopular opinion.
- It might feel disruptive for a day. But I think it feels even more jarring to wake up with so little light in the winter, or have the sun set early in the summer.
💌 Do you love or hate daylight saving time? Hit reply and tell us.