Permanent Daylight Saving Time would be bad for North Carolina | Opinion

Congress should not consider making Daylight Saving Time permanent. While supporters promote longer evening daylight and possible economic benefits, the impact on winter mornings in North Carolina would be significant. Near Dec. 21, sunrise would not occur until about 8:30 a.m., leaving school children, commuters, runners, and early workers starting their day in darkness.

Claims of major energy savings are outdated. Modern lighting and energy-efficient technology have reduced any meaningful savings once associated with Daylight Saving Time. In some cases, increased heating and morning energy use offset the limited evening benefit.

Morning daylight is important for safety, alertness, and healthy sleep patterns. Many medical and sleep experts favor standard time because it better aligns with the body’s natural rhythm.

Congress should reject a permanent change that creates darker mornings for millions while offering little proven benefit.

Thomas Uhl, Mooresville

Preventing tragedies

The tragic deaths of Iryna Zarutska and Dominique Moody led the state legislature to consider and in one case enact bills to help prevent such tragedies in the future. Equally tragic is to listen to the news in the morning where seemingly each day there are reports of shootings with injuries and/or deaths. The legislature fails to adequately pass legislation aimed at reducing gun deaths. This not only includes state but also national laws. Stricter guns laws only make common sense.

Kent Rhodes, Charlotte

I-77 escape clause

Many in our community have voiced frustrations about how the I-77 tolls lanes from Mooresville to Uptown have exacerbated congestion and imposed additional financial strain on individuals who depend on this corridor for their daily commute. The toll system has become a source of hardship, particularly for hardworking residents and small business owners whose livelihoods rely on efficient access to I‑77.

There is a provision in the comprehensive agreement between NCDOT and Cintra that allows for early termination of the contract under a “Convenience” clause. Although invoking this clause would require the payment of a termination fee, it presents a realistic opportunity to reconsider the current arrangement. Preliminary estimates suggest that ending the agreement and removing the toll lanes could cost between $350 million and $500 million. While this is undeniably a significant investment, I firmly believe it would serve the long-term interests of our region by restoring unrestricted access to I‑77, alleviating traffic congestion, and supporting our local communities.

I urge our representatives and community leaders to make this issue a priority and explore every available option for ending the toll lane contract as soon as possible. Our residents deserve a transportation system that works for everyone, not just those who can afford extra fees.

Jason Spitzer, Cornelius

Fair elections

To return to a political system that doesn’t abdicate its responsibilities, wealthy individuals and corporations should be prevented from donating obscene amounts of money to political campaigns. This could be accomplished perhaps by using public funds, with their accompanying rules and regulations, distributed evenly amongst contenders. The playing field would be leveled and politicians’ indebtedness would be to the people they are supposed to be serving rather than to private stakeholders.

Pat Kunder, Charlotte

Data center issues

I write in response to the recent op-ed on data centers by State Representatives David Allen Willis and Jeffrey McNeely.

Recent polling shows only about a quarter of North Carolinians support building new data centers, with most either opposed or undecided. If anything, the loudest voices are the well-funded lobbyists, consultants, and developers paid to push these projects forward.

The real-world impact of data centers deserves intense scrutiny from our elected officials. There are already countless testimonials from residents who put up with incessant noise pollution and soaring electric bills. Meanwhile, states are rewarding developers with millions in tax breaks in exchange for a comparatively modest number of jobs. While the stock market may love AI for now, it’s clear that our state would not reap the benefits.

Communities across North Carolina have paused or questioned these developments for good reason. Instead of dismissing those concerns over little-to-no economic return, lawmakers should provide clear, concrete plans for how they will protect residents from the documented downsides of large-scale data centers.

Rania Masri, Raleigh

Income gap

Wealth inequality in the United States has reached levels that should concern every American, regardless of political affiliation. While millions of working families struggle to afford housing, healthcare, childcare, and higher education, a small percentage of the population continues to accumulate enormous wealth at a historic pace.

Historically, federal income tax rates for top earners were much higher, sitting at 70% in 1965. Today, the top federal individual rate is 37%, and the top corporate is 21%, a significant difference from 52% in the 1960s. These massive tax cuts for the rich and corporations occurred under the Reagan, Bush and Trump administrations.

Extreme inequality weakens our democracy and undermines social trust. A healthy economy depends on a strong middle class, fair wages, affordable education, and equal opportunity. America succeeds when prosperity is shared more broadly.

Jon Miller, Asheville

This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 8:04 AM with the headline "Permanent Daylight Saving Time would be bad for North Carolina | Opinion."