The last time Congress fiddled with daylight savings was 1986, when it moved the starting date from the last Sunday to the first Sunday in April, but left the ending date at the last Sunday in October.

The 2005 Energy Policy Act extended daylight-saving time by four weeks beginning this year. Clocks will spring forward on the second Sunday in March instead of the first Sunday in April and fall back on the first Sunday in November instead of the last Sunday in October.

The change was meant to conserve energy by reducing the use of electric lighting, and there's precedent for it. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the temporary extension of daylight-saving time in 1974 and 1975 saved 10,000 barrels of oil a day. Advocates say savings today could be 10 times greater.

Those in favor of the change claim that lives will be saved driving home from work in daylight; trick-or-treaters will have safer conditions; outdoor activities can be extended which will have health benefits - to name a few that I have heard.

The topic of Daylight Savings Time remains controversial. There are opponents, including farmers who cite problems for farm animals. Some parents have raised concerns about young children waiting for buses or walking to school in the dark.

Congress has retained the right to change the pattern again after the Department of Energy reports on the outcome of 2007 so we probably haven't seen the last of the tinkering of the clocks.

Mark your calendars:

• Sunday March 11th of 2007 - Daylight Savings Time Begins
• Sunday November 4th of 2007- Daylight Savings Time Ends
• Sunday March 9th of 2008 - Daylight Savings Time Begins
• Sunday November 2nd of 2008 - Daylight Savings Time End

Daylight Saving Time Extended - Pros and Cons
Pros	Cons
Energy Savings - will possibly save 100,000 barrels of oil daily. People will turn interior and exterior lights on later in the day which will save electricity. Lighting for evening sports events can be turned on one hour later. Recreation Time - people will have more time to enjoy outdoor activities such as golf, tennis and theme parks. Farming - many farmers work part time and will have an extra hour to work after they arrive home. Full time farmers may not benefit.	School Children - will possibly wait in the pitch dark for the school bus. Example, in Louisville, Kentucky sunrise will occur at 8:01 on March 11, 2007, however, Louisville schools currently begin classes at 7:40 for middle and high school. Business - the airline industry claims it will cost millions of dollars to adjust schedules. Computers, Clocks and Gadgets - many electronic devices automatically adjust for day light saving time. Some of these devices will show incorrect times. Some computer software will have to be reprogrammed

Here's a question: What do you think about the change? Are you for or against and why?

Great News!
Mortgage Insurance is Now Tax Deductible!
If you've been holding off on your decision to buy a home or refinance, I have got good news. Congress has passed legislation that will make mortgage insurance (MI) premium payments tax deductible for anyone who purchases a home after January 1, 2007. The tax deduction will be in effect throughout the 2007 tax year and may be extended by Congress soon.
If your family earns under $110,000 a year, or $55,000 per year for married couples filing separately, the new rule allows you to deduct the cost of the MI premium from your income on your tax return. It could ultimately save you hundreds of dollars over the course of the year.

Finally something has been done for the regular folks like us.