After Elon Musk’s Call to End Clock Changes, New York Senator Pushes for Permanent Daylight Saving Time

A New York senator is leading the charge to make daylight saving time permanent, aiming to end the twice-yearly clock changes. Elon Musk has already weighed in, calling the time shifts “annoying.”

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New Yorkers once again moved their clocks forward this past weekend, marking the start of daylight saving time (DST). But if State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-C-Rome) has his way, this could be one of the last times they do. Griffo is leading a legislative effort to make daylight saving time permanent in New York, putting an end to the biannual clock changes that have long been a subject of debate.

His proposed Senate Bill S3380 aims to establish daylight saving time as the year-round standard across the state. While the bill has gained traction, one major obstacle remains: federal law does not currently allow states to adopt DST permanently without congressional approval.

The case for permanent daylight saving time

Senator Griffo, alongside Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, has been advocating for an end to clock changes for years. Their argument is simple—people prefer more daylight in the evening, and surveys consistently show public frustration with the time shifts.

“There’s overwhelming consensus right now, and it’s evident by recent Gallup polls, that the American citizens and residents of our district don’t like the changes twice a year,” Griffo said. “Many people come to me and say we want whatever makes it lighter longer, and that’s daylight saving time, so that’s why we’ve proposed making it permanent.”

Supporters of the bill cite multiple benefits of keeping DST year-round. Studies suggest that extended daylight in the evening reduces crime rates and lowers the risk of car accidents by improving visibility during peak travel hours. Advocates also highlight potential energy savings, as later sunsets could reduce reliance on artificial lighting.

Health experts point to improved mental well-being as another potential advantage. Seasonal depression, which affects millions of Americans each year, is often linked to shorter daylight hours in winter. Proponents argue that keeping daylight later in the day could mitigate these effects and improve overall public health.

The legal challenge

Despite its popularity, a permanent switch to daylight saving time is not something New York can implement on its own. Under current federal law, states can opt out of DST (as Arizona and Hawaii have done) but cannot stay on it year-round without an act of Congress.

To push for broader action, Senator Griffo has been working with lawmakers from other Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as Canadian provinces, to form a regional coalition in favor of permanent daylight saving time. The idea is to increase pressure on the federal government to amend time regulations.

“If we could all express our interests and desire to have a consistent time, preferably daylight savings time, then maybe the federal government would act,” Griffo stated.

This challenge is not unique to New York. Several other states, including New Jersey and Washington, have introduced similar bills in recent years. However, these efforts have stalled due to the same federal restriction that New York now faces.

Elon Musk enters the debate

The discussion surrounding daylight saving time recently gained unexpected momentum when Elon Musk weighed in on the issue. In a post on his platform, X, Musk remarked, “Looks like people want to abolish the annoying time changes!” His statement, while brief, ignited a new wave of public discourse on the topic.

Musk’s voice in the debate carries weight, given his influence on energy policy, technological efficiency, and public opinion. While his tweet did not outline a specific policy position, it reflects a broader frustration with the time change tradition—one that has existed for over a century.

Interestingly, the U.S. has experimented with permanent daylight saving time before. In 1974, during the energy crisis, the country briefly adopted year-round DST to reduce fuel consumption. The results were mixed.

While there were reports of lower energy usage, many parents and school officials raised concerns about dark winter mornings, which led to increased safety risks for children commuting to school. The backlash ultimately led Congress to repeal the policy within a year.

What happens next?

Senate Bill S3380 is currently under review in the New York State Senate Judiciary Committee. Even if it passes at the state level, it cannot take effect unless Congress changes federal law to allow states to choose permanent daylight saving time.

For now, New Yorkers—and Americans across the country—will continue springing forward and falling back each year. But with growing political momentum and high-profile voices entering the debate, the twice-yearly ritual of adjusting the clocks may eventually come to an end.

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