STAFFORD – A state representative from Stafford is trying to give Connecticut residents an extra hour of daylight in the winter.
Rep. Kurt Vail (R-Stafford) is proposing a bill this legislative session that would keep Connecticut observing Daylight Saving Time all year long. He said he got the idea from a constituent.
“I went around to some other local constituents, saw what they thought. Everyone seemed to have a positive reaction to it. I talked to a couple local businesses and they thought it was a good idea. I even talked to a farmer in Somers who thought it was a good idea,” said Vail.
Under the legislation, Connecticut wouldn’t “fall back” or turn the clocks back in November, allowing for an extra hour of sun in the evening.
“I think people are more productive in the afternoon maybe than they are in the morning in most cases. So having that extra hour in the morning may not be as beneficial as having it in the afternoon and people can get out of work and school and still have a little bit of daylight before they eat their supper,” he said.
Vail said the only negative response he’s received is from those who say Connecticut lawmakers have bigger issues they need to tackle this session, and he agrees. He is also submitting a bill on the crumbling foundations issue and plans to prioritize budget issues as well.
He said, “I had enough constituents who thought it was a good idea and enough of them care about it, so for that reason I think we should look into it.”
Vail said it’s likely the legislation won’t make it to the House floor, but he hopes it will get a public hearing so more people can share their opinions.
“As more people hear about it, they might have an opinion one way or the other and let’s hear about it,” he said.
Connecticut wouldn’t be the first state to make its own rules when it comes to Daylight Saving Time. Hawaii, most of Arizona and parts of Indiana already do so. Several other states are currently considering changes, including Massachusetts.