Lawmakers Consider Lemonade Law with East Texas Roots

AUSTIN — A lot of what is debated in the state capitol is serious business. But there are some feel-good stories, including one that originated in East Texas. That was the case this week, in a hearing for a bill that would force cities to allow kids to set up lemonade stands. The star was eight-year-old Branson Burton, who told a Senate committee how he learned about economics by selling lemonade in his neighborhood. Branson said, “Overall, I pulled in over three hundred in revenue — and after repaying my loan, I made two hundred and forty-six in profit.” The bill would legalize temporary lemonade stands operated by minors on private property. It comes in response to a huge story in 2015, when cops in Overton shut down a stand, citing state law.