New England Lawmakers Propose Seceding From Time Zone

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — As most Americans brace themselves for losing an hour of sleep this weekend, some lawmakers are proposing bold alternatives for New England and elsewhere.

Lawmakers from California to Kansas are considering bills to abolish daylight saving time.

Bills in Rhode Island and Massachusetts go even further by proposing secession from the Eastern time zone.

RELATED: Should Massachusetts Change Time Zones?

Rhode Island state Rep. Blake Filippi, a Block Island independent, made a public health case for his bill at a Wednesday hearing.

New England has some of the country's earliest winter sunsets.

The legislation calls for following Massachusetts if it moves one hour east into the Atlantic Time Zone that encompasses Nova Scotia and Puerto Rico.

Maine also previously considered the idea.

It would have the same effect as making summertime daylight saving hours permanent.

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