Oppose Texas-Only DST Changes

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed legislation that would place Texas on permanent daylight saving time. While I understand the desire to eliminate the twice-a-year time change, doing so at the state level—rather than through a coordinated federal effort—would create significant confusion, logistical headaches, and economic disruptions. If Texas were to adopt permanent daylight saving time while neighboring states remain on standard time, the result would be a fragmented system that creates five time zones across the continental U.S. This would be particularly disruptive in central states like Texas, where businesses, schools, and transportation networks frequently interact with multiple time zones. • Commerce and Business Disruptions – Texas is a hub for national and international trade. With different time zones in neighboring states, companies conducting business across state lines would face operational confusion. Airlines, railroads, and logistics companies that rely on coordinated schedules would struggle to adjust, leading to inefficiencies and potential economic losses. • Confusion for Travelers and Workers – Employees who live near state borders and frequently commute for work could see their schedules thrown into chaos. A person living in Texarkana, for example, could find themselves an hour ahead or behind their employer, complicating work hours, school drop-offs, and daily life. • Broadcast and National Scheduling Conflicts – TV broadcasts, sports schedules, and live national events all rely on standardized time zones. If Texas operates on a different time system than most of the country, residents would experience difficulty keeping track of program schedules, stock market openings, and national events. • Interference with Federal Agencies and Systems – Many national systems, including banking and government operations, function on synchronized time zones. A patchwork approach would introduce unnecessary complexity, making it harder to coordinate services that cross state lines. If we are going to make changes to daylight saving time, it should be done at the federal level, ensuring consistency across all states rather than creating a confusing and inefficient state-by-state system. The U.S. Senate has already passed federal daylight saving time legislation in the past, and if permanent time changes are to be made, they should go through proper national legislative channels—not through isolated state laws. I urge you to oppose this legislation and instead advocate for a coordinated federal solution to time zone reform. Texas should not create unnecessary confusion for its residents, businesses, and institutions when a more practical national solution is possible.