If the state were really to move in that direction of eliminating the Daylight Savings Time program, it would obviously affect any resident of the state. But judging by the indications from a State House committee that passed HB 2557 by Rep. Harold Wright (R-Weatherford) there will be opposition.
The House Committee on State and Federal Relations chaired by Rep. Lewis Moore passed Wright’s bill this week on a 4-3 vote. But not before Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, raised serious questions about such a move.
“We’d see daybreak about 4 a.m.,” said Lepak during this week’s committee hearing. “We would be out of step, or out if time, with most of the rest of the country.” He suggested many businesses and companies would encounter problems in their dealings with businesses in other states and foreign nations, because of time conflicts.
Add Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, as someone also against the Wright bill.
“Some people would prefer to have daylight in the evening rather than in the morning,” she offered. “Thousands of people play golf after work. I think this would have a huge economic impact on gold courses and other businesses, and would impact a lot of people.”
Others on the committee raised the question of how abandoning DST would affect farmers as well as children who ride school buses to and from school.
Beggs Rep. Steve Kouplen, a Democrat filed an identical bill but withdrew it in favor of Rep. Wright. He explained he filed his original bill at the requests of constituents and for medical reasons. He said medical research has shown in increase of heart attacks and traffic accidents in the days immediately after clocks are pushed forward one hour each spring.
Listen to committee debate and vote.