---

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2026/025l.jpg)

 [ VOICES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

#  It’s About Time

March 30 2026

Written by Jack Shakely.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

EASTERN ELBOW TIME - If history is any guide, soon a politician in California, with it still fresh in his mind, will introduce legislation making daylight saving time year-round. This will immediately be followed by a politician in Maine, claiming she speaks for farmers and children, who will introduce a bill making standard time permanent. Both bills will have initial strong support, but both will fail by a slim margin.

For the last hundred years or so, few topics have been so debated, so enacted, and so retracted as daylight saving time. As late as 2022, something called the Sunshine Protection Act passed unanimously in the senate making daylight saving time permanent, like it or not.

Americans can’t decide if we like it, or not. We never could. When the first daylight saving time was enacted in 1918, we saw it as supporting the war effort, kept quiet and saluted. But the nation in those days was still agrarian, and farmers loathed DST. Only weeks after the armistice was signed, we decided the federal government shouldn’t set our clock, and punted it back to the states.

This created a mare’s nest. New York and New Jersey stayed on daylight saving time, Illinois, then Florida, then Massachusetts tried it for a while. Briefly, Iowa, attempting to cut the baby in half, simply added a half an hour to standard time. The rest of the nation stood pat and the fledgling radio and aviation industries went nuts.

In 1942, FDR re-enacted daylight saving time, but he was savvy enough to call it War Time. Nevertheless, a couple of months after V-J Day, we consigned daylight saving time to the bone yard.

Finally in 1967, in an effort that pleased no one, but pissed off even fewer, the Unified Time Act became law, with seven months of daylight saving time, five months of standard time and a legion of salons itching to extend or retract the allotted time. Which they did in 1973, 1975, 2005 and 2016.

We may not be through kicking time around yet. In November 2024 California state senator Roger Niello introduced a bill to put the state on year-round standard time. The bill didn’t get out of committee last year, but Niello is still around and so is his bill. Stay tuned.

At least the burgeoning atomic clock industry is making moot one of our “standard-daylight” complaints. Now a giant atomic clock in Boulder, Colorado automatically changes the clock of every cell phone, every computer and most microwaves, ovens and coffee makers. Soon, we may have to find something even more trivial to argue about.

*(Jack Shakely is president emeritus of the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles. He does not own a watch, even a smart one.)*

 [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")

 [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![David DeJute Campaign](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/DejuteAd.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")

 [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")

 [ ![Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/reitano%20vertical%20rework.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Message

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/1c/072d-1c016ddf.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

### [When the Last-Minute Power Play Failed: Sacramento Finally Ran Out of Time](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gavin Newsom came to the final days of his final regular legislative session with one more major problem…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4d/073e-4dc54bff.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33336:may-day-international-workers-day-a-major-us-holiday-ignored-by-the-media&catid=398)

### [May Day/International Workers Day, a Major US Holiday Ignored By The Media](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33336:may-day-international-workers-day-a-major-us-holiday-ignored-by-the-media&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - Monday, September 7, 2026, was Labor Day, a holiday only celebrated in the United States and Canada as…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4e/072i-4e4914dd.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33314:olympics-la28s-drip-drip-drip-tactics-leave-los-angeles-holding-the-bag&catid=312)

### [Olympics: LA28’s Drip‑Drip‑Drip Tactics Leave Los Angeles Holding the Bag](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33314:olympics-la28s-drip-drip-drip-tactics-leave-los-angeles-holding-the-bag&catid=312)

NICK'S VIEW - Wonderland Los Angeles, a global symbol of dreams, myths, and possibilities, will take center stage at th…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/e7/072b-e7b222d1.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33321:1-billion-later-congress-comes-knocking-los-angeles-homelessness-machine-faces-its-day-of-reckoning&catid=396)

### [$1 Billion Later, Congress Comes Knocking: Los Angeles’ Homelessness Machine Faces Its Day of Reckoning](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33321:1-billion-later-congress-comes-knocking-los-angeles-homelessness-machine-faces-its-day-of-reckoning&catid=396)

THE BOTTOM LINE - For years, Los Angeles taxpayers have been told the same thing about homelessness: Give us more money…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/12/073d-1253ced3.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33338:quid-pro-no&catid=378)

### [QUID PRO NO](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33338:quid-pro-no&catid=378)

MY VIEW - Quid pro quo: Latin for “this for that.” English for “bribe.” In Assemblymember Schiavo-speak: quid pro no—“N…

---

##  [ VOICES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/072d.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)### [When the Last-Minute Power Play Failed: Sacramento Finally Ran Out of Time](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/073g.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33332:the-masses-are-asses&catid=375)### [The Masses are Asses](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33332:the-masses-are-asses&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/073f.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33334:smooth-sailing-at-sea-troubled-waters-at-city-hall&catid=375)### [Smooth Sailing at Sea, Troubled Waters at City Hall](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33334:smooth-sailing-at-sea-troubled-waters-at-city-hall&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/073c.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33340:trumps-tit-for-tat-a-toilet-bowl-palooza&catid=375)### [Trump's Tit For Tat. A Toilet Bowl Palooza](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33340:trumps-tit-for-tat-a-toilet-bowl-palooza&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/073b.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33331:lshanah-tovah-wishing-you-and-your-family-a-sweet-healthy-and-peaceful-new-year&catid=375)### [L’Shanah Tovah — Wishing You And Your Family A Sweet, Healthy And Peaceful New Year](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33331:lshanah-tovah-wishing-you-and-your-family-a-sweet-healthy-and-peaceful-new-year&catid=375)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>