Ramblings' Journal

Indiana to enact DST next year

After more than 30 years, the state of Indiana is set to begin observing Daylight Saving Time beginning next year. A new bill, passed by the state house late last night, and pushed for by Governor Mitch Daniels, ensures that the state's counties outside the Louisville, Cincinnati & Chicago areas will join the bulk of the rest of the nation in observing DST.

In an April 11 column to constituents in his southwestern Indiana distrct, freshman Republican Rep. Troy Woodruff of Vincennes said he had received overwhelming feedback from them to fight against legislation mandating statewide observance of daylight-saving time.

"I have and will continue to always vote against this controversial piece of legislation," he wrote.

But shortly after 11:30 p.m. EST Thursday, during a second House vote on the bill, Woodruff switched his no vote and provided a 51st "yea" to give it final legislative approval and send the proposal to Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Daniels, who lobbied extensively for the proposal because he said it would eliminate confusion and boost commerce, is sure to sign the bill into law.

I'm a Hoosier by birth, and part of me feels that it brings the state back in sync with the rest of the nation. The rest of me kind of shrugs and says 'OK. What the hey.'

The move makes Arizona the only hold out in the Continental United States to Daylight Saving Time.

Posted by mhking at April 29, 2005 12:05 PM