The USDOT docket has a letter from Representative Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) who represents parts of Boone, Hendricks, and Montgomery counties. The letter is addressed to Governor Daniels and was copied to the USDOT. He asks that the Governor use his influence to put Indianapolis, and therefore, much of the rest of the state, on central time.
His rationale:
1. Economic development – The west is the fastest growing area of our country. It would make more sense to always be two hours ahead of California than three hours. It would be 1 1 :00 A.M. in Indiana before a business opens in California if Indiana is placed in the Eastern Time Zone. If we are three hours ahead of California it will only be 1:30 P.M. in California when a business in Indiana will be closing if Indiana is in the Eastern Time Zone.
2. Northwestern Indiana – The citizens of Northwestern Indiana are aligned with Chicago. If Indiana is placed in the Cental Time Zone these citizens will be on the same time as Indianapolis. If Indiana is in the Eastern Time Zone then these citizens will never be on the same time as Indianapolis.
3. Safety of our school children – If Indiana is placed in the Central Time Zone, school children will be getting on school buses in daylight. This is an important safety issue. As the father of five and a school teacher, the safety of our children is of great concern to me.
Makes sense to me.
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