I was reviewing the Online Docket for the consideration of where the Indiana Time Zone line should properly be set. There are a number of new entries that have been put up since I last looked. Apparently the USDOT is getting a flood of submissions from an astroturf campaign of sorts organized by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The give away is if the letter is addressed precisely as follows:
Neil R. Eisner, Esquire
Assistant General Counsel for Regulation and Enforcement
Office of General Counsel
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
This is how the Indiana Chamber of Commerce directs its members to address letters to USDOT requesting eastern daylight saving time. The chamber helpfully provides a template:
Dear Mr. Eisner,
Next spring when all of Indiana begins observing Daylight Saving Time, it is crucial that at least the 82 counties currently in the Eastern time zone switch to Eastern Daylight Saving Time (DST).
The reasons for “eastern†over “central are very clear. Eastern DST provides the opportunity for business gains, increased safety, energy savings and an enhanced quality of life. Moving to the Central time zone eliminates those benefits and runs the risk of additional traffic fatalities, crimes and energy usage.
(INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION) firmly requests that no more counties are moved to the Central time zone than the number (10) that currently exists.
(INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION) recognizes that the five counties in Northwest Indiana should stay on Central DST. Furthermore, we believe that the five counties in Southwest Indiana currently on Central DST should be allowed to choose the time zone they wish to follow. However, the (INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION) also believes that it is imperative to align the markets of Southwest Indiana with those of the majority of the rest of the state, including Indianapolis and nearby Louisville, Kentucky.
What time Indiana observes was already decided by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in the 1960s when the division of the state between the Eastern and Central time zones was made. Therefore, the (INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION) requests the federal DOT to move most of the state – at least the 82 counties in the Eastern time zone – to Eastern DST.
[blah, blah, blah]
Somehow the template letter neglected to include that the writers were commenting at the request of the Chamber of Commerce. An oversight, I’m sure.
The letters which are not identifiable as Chamber cut-and-paste jobs seem to break heavily in favor of Central Time. (Or, in several cases, a plea to forego DST entirely.) Of special note, is a letter signed by Representatives Lehe, McClain, and Gutwein, stating in pertinent part:
We represent districts in the Northwest Region of the state. After discussions with each other and our constituents, we respecthlly urge your consideration in requesting that all Indiana counties, except those specifically designated as Eastern Time Zone in Section 3(b) of Senate Enrolled Act 127, be placed in the Central Time Zone. We believe this is the most appropriate time zone for Indiana given its geographic location.
You may recall that these are the three legislators who flip-flopped back in April and allowed the Daylight Saving Time bill to live where, had they voted consistently, the bill would have died. The bill had been defeated 50-49 so it was only mostly dead – had it been defeated with 51 votes it couldn’t have been brought back to the floor. As it was, the bill was brought up for a vote again and Representatives Lehe, McClain, and Gutwein changed their votes, paving the way for DST to become the law of the land.
Also, St. Joseph County submitted a request for hearings and for St. Joseph County to be designated a Central Time Zone county. It was signed by Commissioners Bodle, Ross, and Dobson as well as mayors Luecke and Rea. It has a bare assertion that the county has strong economic ties to Chicago but does not appear to have contained any supporting documentation or detailed explanations.
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