End of Daylight Saving Time weighs on California's Capitol

Nov. 1, 2009 | By Julie Small | KPCC
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Daylight Saving Time ended Sunday morning. So turn the clocks back and get ready for fewer hours of sunlight. The lack of daylight this time of year can have a profound effect on people’s moods. That’s particularly true at the state Capitol.

State lawmakers have been known to bring toothbrushes to work to cope with all the late night sessions. Even in slow periods, the work day at the Capitol can be longer than most.

That’s especially true for support staff, like Tony Beard. As Sergeant-At-Arms for the State Senate, Beard arrives before lawmakers and their staff to open things up and stays late to close after they leave.

Beard says the end of daylight saving makes the 12-hour days seem even longer.

"It doesn’t help those of us who arrive early because we generally are here before the sun comes up and it’s dark when we go home," Beard explains. He says, working in the Capitol, "you’re kind of in the dark all day. You’ll go home and someone will say it was a beautiful day and you haven’t really left the Capitol building. "

In his 32 years of providing security for the Senate, Beard says he’s seen how that lack of sunlight affects senators and their staff. Anyone stuck inside all the time would get a little cranky, but when you add the stress of trying to negotiate budgets and public policy, Beard says you’ve occasionally got problems.

"You know, now and then, you’ll sit down with some people and let them know 'now is not a good time to argue.'" Beard will tell those people, "it’s not good for the workplace."

Sergeant-at-Arms Tony Beard says maintaining decorum in the Senate always gets a little easier when spring returns to the Capitol and everyone gets to catch a few more rays.

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