Having worked for the Feds for many years, you learn that the "official" reason for something is often completely different than the "real" reason for it - e.g., we supposedly invaded Iraq because they had WMDs, not because of a Bush family grudge against Saddam and the promise of cheap(er) oil. Apparently it was big business (and especially the candy industry) that pushed for the lengthening of daylight savings time into November. See http://www.businessinsider.com/daylight-saving-time-and-hall...

There is also some doubt as to whether or not DST actually saves energy. While people turn on the lights later in the evening with DST, people also go out more in the evening, burning more gasoline.