Daylight Saving Time 2025: What New Yorkers Need to Know
As winter’s chill begins to fade, New Yorkers are gearing up for the annual ritual of changing the clocks as Daylight Saving Time (DST) approaches. In 2025, DST will officially begin in New York City on Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m.This means clocks will “spring forward,” and we’ll lose an hour of sleep—but gain an extra hour of daylight in the evenings.
The shift to DST marks the start of longer days, a welcome change for many who’ve endured the dark, cold months of winter.From March 9,the days will continue to grow longer until the summer solstice on Friday,June 20,at 1:41 p.m. This is when the earth’s northern hemisphere is directly facing the sun, and New York City can expect approximately 15 hours of sunlight.
Since November 3, 2024, New York has been operating on Standard Time, but the biannual clock change remains a topic of debate. While some embrace the tradition,others advocate for ending the practice altogether.
The History of Daylight Saving Time
The concept of DST dates back to Benjamin Franklin, who first proposed the idea in a satirical 1784 essay titled “An Economical Project.” Franklin suggested that adjusting clocks could save energy and make better use of daylight. The modern system of uniform DST across the United States was established by the Uniform Time Act of 1966.
today, only Arizona and Hawaii have opted out of the clock-changing practice. However, lawmakers in other states, including New York, have been considering whether to follow suit. During the fall 2023 legislative session, a bill was introduced to perhaps end DST in the state, though it remains pending.
What’s Next for New York?
As the debate over DST continues, New Yorkers can prepare for the upcoming time change by adjusting their clocks and enjoying the extended daylight hours. Whether you’re a fan of the tradition or ready to see it go, one thing is certain: spring is on the horizon.
| Key Dates for Daylight Saving Time 2025 |
|———————————————|
| DST Begins: March 9, 2 a.m. |
| Summer Solstice: June 20, 1:41 p.m. |
| Standard Time Since: November 3, 2024 |
As we approach the start of DST, now is the perfect time to reflect on the history and future of this long-standing practice. Will new York join the ranks of states that have opted out? Only time will tell.
New York and Pennsylvania Push to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
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The debate over Daylight Saving Time (DST) continues to gain momentum in New York and Pennsylvania, with lawmakers advocating to end the biannual clock changes. Despite bipartisan support, efforts to make DST permanent have yet to succeed, leaving residents to “spring forward” and “fall back” for another year.
The Push in New York
In New York, state Senators Joe Griffo and Angelo L. Santabarbara are leading the charge to eliminate the time change. Griffo, representing upstate Rome, emphasized the overwhelming public sentiment against the practice. “People are overwhelmingly telling me: ‘Let’s stop springing forward and falling back,’” he told Advance/SILive.com.
The issue has garnered bipartisan support, with ongoing efforts to build coalitions in favor of permanent DST. However, two bills introduced in the New York State Assembly and Senate remain stalled in commitee, preventing a vote from taking place.
pennsylvania’s Progress
Neighboring Pennsylvania is also making strides toward ending the time change. In april 2021, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill with a narrow 103-98 vote to make DST permanent. the bill’s sponsor,Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh County, called the practice of changing clocks twice a year “incredibly inefficient and outdated.”
Despite the House’s approval,the bill has not yet become law. As an inevitable result, Pennsylvania residents, like those in New York, will still adjust their clocks when DST begins on March 9.
The National Context
The movement to make DST permanent is not unique to these states. across the country, there is growing frustration with the biannual time change, which disrupts sleep schedules and has been linked to health and safety concerns. However, federal law currently restricts states from adopting permanent DST without congressional approval.
Key Points at a Glance
| State | Legislative Action | status |
|——————|—————————————————————————————-|————————————-|
| New York | Bills introduced in Assembly and senate to make DST permanent | Stalled in committee, no vote taken |
| Pennsylvania | House passed bill to make DST permanent (103-98 vote) | Not yet signed into law |
What’s Next?
While the push for permanent DST continues, residents of New York and Pennsylvania will still need to adjust their clocks this spring. Advocates remain hopeful that bipartisan efforts and public support will eventually lead to legislative success.
For now, the debate highlights a growing consensus that the century-old practice of changing clocks may no longer serve modern needs. As griffo aptly put it, “Let’s stop springing forward and falling back.”
Stay tuned for updates on this evolving issue, and let us know your thoughts on making Daylight Saving Time permanent. Should we embrace the change or stick with tradition? Share your opinion in the comments below!
Interview: The Push to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent in New York and Pennsylvania
Editor: The debate over Daylight Saving Time (DST) is heating up in New York and Pennsylvania. Can you give us an overview of the current efforts to make DST permanent?
Guest: Absolutely. In both states,lawmakers are leading the charge to eliminate the biannual clock changes. In New York, state Senators Joe Griffo and Angelo L. Santabarbara have introduced bills to make DST permanent, citing overwhelming public support. Similarly, in Pennsylvania, the House of Representatives passed a bill in April 2021 to end the practice. However, despite bipartisan backing, both efforts have yet to become law.
Editor: What are some of the key arguments in favor of ending the time change?
Guest: Proponents argue that changing clocks twice a year is outdated and disruptive. Studies have linked the biannual shift to health issues like sleep disturbances and even an increase in accidents. Additionally, many believe that permanent DST would allow for better use of daylight hours, boosting productivity and energy conservation.
Editor: Are there any obstacles to making DST permanent?
Guest: Yes, there are meaningful hurdles. Under current federal law, states cannot adopt permanent DST without congressional approval. This means that even if New York or Pennsylvania passes legislation, it won’t take effect unless the federal government changes its stance. additionally, there’s some debate about whether permanent DST or permanent Standard Time is the better option, which adds complexity to the issue.
Editor: What’s the status of the bills in New York and Pennsylvania?
Guest: In New York, the bills are stalled in committee, preventing a vote from taking place. In Pennsylvania,the bill passed the House but hasn’t been signed into law yet. Both states are continuing to build coalitions and gather public support, but for now, residents will still need to adjust their clocks when DST begins on March 9.
Editor: How does this movement fit into the national context?
Guest: This isn’t just a local issue—states across the country are pushing for similar changes. Arizona and Hawaii have already opted out of DST, and other states are considering it. The growing frustration with the time change reflects a broader consensus that the practice may no longer serve modern needs, especially with advancements in technology and energy efficiency.
Editor: What can residents of New York and Pennsylvania expect in the near future?
Guest: For now, they’ll still need to “spring forward” and “fall back.” however, advocates remain hopeful that continued bipartisan efforts and public support will eventually lead to legislative success. As Senator Griffo put it, “Let’s stop springing forward and falling back.”
Editor: Any final thoughts on the topic?
Guest: This debate highlights a shift in how we think about time and its impact on our daily lives. Whether we embrace permanent DST or stick with the current system, it’s clear that the conversation isn’t going away anytime soon. Stay tuned for updates,and let your representatives know where you stand on the issue.
Key Takeaways
- New York and Pennsylvania are leading efforts to make daylight Saving Time permanent.
- Bipartisan support exists, but federal law complicates the process.
- Proponents argue that ending the time change would reduce health risks and improve productivity.
- For now,residents will still need to adjust their clocks for DST.
