It is now illegal for authorities to shut down kids in Texas operating a lemonade stand. Governor Greg Abbott signed a law this week passed by Texas lawmakers during the 2019 legislative session. It goes into effect on September 1, 2019.

The governor explained in a tweet as he signed the new law that police shut down lemonade stands in the past due to the lack of a permit to sell their product or a violation of food safety regulations. In June 2015, for example, two young sisters ages 7 and 8 set up a lemonade stand to raise money for a Father’s Day gift in Overton, Texas. Overton Police Department Chief Clyde Carter sent officers over to tell them they needed to get a Peddler’s Permit because selling lemonade without a permit is illegal. The girls decided to change the operation from regular sales to donations once they (and their mom) discovered that in order to get the necessary permit, they had to first be licensed by the county health department. All of the bureaucratic red tape for a simple lemonade stand wasn’t worth the time and energy so they decided to work around the rules. Instead of selling their lemonade, they asked for donations.

Once news got out about the sisters and their attempt to raise money to take their dad to Splash Kingdom, the local community came forward to support them. The theme park gave them free passes and they received $200 in donations at the lemonade stand. Their mother didn’t feel comfortable keeping the money since the family was given free tickets so she said she would set up a scholarship for a local graduating high school senior majoring in business management. Their run-in with the law worked out well in the end but in order to spare future budding entrepreneurs the hassles of over-regulation on small businesses, the state legislature took action, albeit four years later.

It’s now legal for kids to sell lemonade at stands. We had to pass a law because police shut down a kid’s lemonade stand. Thanks to ⁦@RepMattKrause⁩. #txlege #LEMONADE pic.twitter.com/xwfCob2nvV — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 11, 2019

Governor Abbott has been busy since sine die, the last day of the 86th Texas Legislature’s regular session. June 16 is the last day Abbott can veto legislation passed by the House and Senate.

My desk Friday —>

My desk now =

Got ‘er dun 🤠 pic.twitter.com/JdE2HrnCpn — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 10, 2019

Personal freedom is important to Texans and Governor Abbott made good on his promise to protect religious freedom and First Amendment rights of Texas business owners. He signed the “Save Chick-fil-A” bill into law.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed the so-called “Save Chick-fil-A” bill into law, a new provision that supporters say defends the fast-food restaurant and protects religious freedoms. Opponents have argued it discriminates against the LGBT community.

He also signed a bill that protects free speech on college campuses.

The bill ensures that outdoor areas of college campuses are deemed “public forums” and creates disciplinary sanctions for students who interfere with free speech activities on campus. Texas colleges will have until December 1, 2019, to submit reports to the state about how they plan to protect free speech rights. Colleges will have to adopt the new policies by August 2020.

I just signed a law protecting free speech on college campuses. #txlege pic.twitter.com/jHIh8431SH — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 10, 2019

The governor is right. He shouldn’t have to do it, yet here we are. None of these bills should have been necessary. Yet, when one side of the political aisle with an agenda oversteps, the other side has to push back or personal freedom is lost forever. As is said in Texas – Come and take it.