Local senator pushing for end to daylight saving time

Now that we are grudgingly adjusting to our new sleep schedule with the recent time change from standard to daylight saving, a local State Senator is once again pushing for a permanent end to the yearly dreaded time change. In other words, Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) has authored a bill to "ditch the switch." "Everybody agrees to ditch the switch, it's just a question of which switch to ditch," quipped Niello. Niello has authored Senate Bill 1197 for this legislative season, which calls for permanent standard time in California. Niello points out if the state decided to go to permanent daylight saving time, it would have to be approved by Congress. However, Californians can decide to stick with permanent standard time. "I think it's the better of the two anyway," said Niello. This has been an issue near and dear to Niello's heart for many years. Every year since he's been in the state Senate, he has authored a bill calling for permanent standard time in California, and every year it doesn't pass. Niello said most Californians seem to agree the time change is an outdated concept they would like to see end. The problem though, is there is no agreement on which switch they prefer. Some people prefer more sunlight early in the morning while others cherish longer days and nights with light. "That's why we haven't been able to resolve the issue," said Niello. "Everybody agrees to ditch the switch, it's just which switch to ditch and there are people who agree with me and by the way the medical community and sleep experts unanimously agree with permanent standard time." The senator seems to have a valid point: On the heels of the latest time change, UC Davis released the results of a study which concludes the time change can even lead to more migraines and less deep sleep in adults who suffer from migraines. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine by sleep expert Sasikanth Gorantla and concluded even a one-hour clock change disrupted the alignment of a body's internal clock and triggered migraines. "These results support growing evidence that clock changes can harm health, especially for those with conditions linked to sleep disruptions," stated the UC Davis study. "These results can also be applied to other situations that disrupt circadian rhythms, such as jet lag and frequent travel across time zones." Daylight saving time was implemented in the US during World War I in an effort to add more daylight hours and help with energy conservation, but most Americans agree the concept is no longer valid in this day and age. Even President Donald Trump has spoken out against the time change, and earlier this year suggested Congress should pass legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent. However, this month he admitted the argument over the time change "is a 50/50 issue" with Americans in heated disagreement over which time slot they preferred. Niello doesn't have huge optimism his legislation will pass, but it's an issue he will continue to champion as long as he's a senator. "We haven't really been able to bridge that gap," said Niello. "And since we can't go to daylight saving time unless Congress authorizes it, and as long as we are in this standoff, we'll continue to switch the switch."