Lakeway City Council approved revisions to the city's economic development incentive policy at a June 15 meeting. The policy will provide a framework for evaluating economic development incentives on a case-by-case basis.

Economic development incentives are financial tools offered by government bodies to promote economic growth and strengthen long-term financial stability, per city documents.

Zooming out: Lakeway has historically not offered or approved any economic development incentives as the city’s “strong residential tax base, high quality of life and market desirability” have allowed the city to grow without the need for formal incentives, according to city documents.

The city has instead relied on market-driven development and private investment to attract businesses. As a result, Lakeway has never approved Chapter 380 agreements, tax abatements or other formal incentive tools.

In January, City Council discussed a nearly $47 million economic incentive agreement for a development at The Square at Lakeway, but the developer withdrew the request.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, now has a new name in hopes of improving care and giving importance to the wide range of symptoms the condition encompasses.

The background: The condition now called PMOS, or polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, emphasizes the metabolic aspects of the condition, which include insulin resistance, cardiovascular complications and other symptoms, said Dr. Neha Lalani at Bluebonnet Diabetes & Endocrinology in Lakeway.

The details: Treatment for PMOS often includes “off-label” medications, Lalani said. This is when doctors prescribe patients a medication to treat a different condition than what is originally listed on the medication's official label, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Because of this, drugs like GLP-1s, which can help manage metabolic symptoms for patients with PMOS, are often not covered by insurance, Lalani said.

“I think definitely with the change in name, there will be more studies showing the positive outcome of these medications for patients,” Lalani said. “Eventually, I think insurance may start covering these medications for PMOS.”

A Crunch Fitness in Austin, an AutoZone in Lago Vista and the Plaza Saltillo Station Double Track and Trail Project are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Plaza Saltillo Station Double Track and Trail Project ($40.6 million): This project involves a change from single track to double track, building platforms and canopies for passenger waiting areas, and associated utility relocations and right-of-way flatwork.

2. Emergency Animal Hospital of Buda ($1.7 million): A new emergency animal hospital is coming to Buda, with construction set to begin in August.

3. Snack Time C-Store & Gas Station Building ($1.6 million): This project involves the construction of a single-story gas station building with a proposed deli.

4. Crunch Fitness ($1.5 million): A new Crunch Fitness location is coming to Austin. 

5. AutoZone ($1.2 million): A 6,800-square-foot AutoZone is coming to Lago Vista, with construction set to begin in December.

In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2127, a sweeping regulatory measure designed to prevent cities and counties from adopting local ordinances that conflict with various sections of state law. Three years later, there is confusion about what local governments can and cannot do under the law.

The background: At the time, some legislators and other proponents of the bill said it would ensure consistency among Texas cities, citing ordinances passed by “liberal blue cities” that they said made it hard to run a business. Opponents of HB 2127, including some local leaders, said the law would prevent cities from addressing residents’ needs while undermining local worker safety provisions and nondiscrimination ordinances.

What's happening: During a June 4 hearing, the law’s critics said it has had a “chilling effect” on some local actions, while those who support the law expressed concerns that cities have not removed ordinances that are preempted by the state.

Ahead of the 2027 state legislative session, lawmakers are considering whether changes are needed to clarify or better enforce the law.