AUSTIN, Texas – A Travis County judge has ordered Gov. Greg Abbott to allow state Rep. Gina Hinojosa to review unredacted communications between Abbott and Elon Musk, a dispute involving public records that could widen scrutiny of state policy affecting Musk-linked businesses in Texas.
State District Judge Catherine Mauzy ruled that Hinojosa is entitled to inspect the records for legislative purposes under the Texas Public Information Act. The emails concern communications between Abbott and Musk, whose companies include SpaceX, Tesla and X.
The order called for the records to be turned over by 10 a.m. Oct. 29. Abbott’s office appealed the decision, pausing the required disclosure while the appeal is pending.
Hinojosa, a Democratic state representative from Austin, has said she is seeking the communications for a potential legislative inquiry concerning economic-development incentives, grants, business regulation and environmental protection. The case stems from a disagreement over a legislator’s ability to inspect executive-branch records under the public information law.
The matter has relevance in South Texas because SpaceX’s Starbase operations are among Musk-related businesses with a significant footprint in the state. The court order does not make findings about Starbase or any specific project, incentive or agreement in the Rio Grande Valley.
A Nov. 2 hearing is scheduled on Hinojosa’s request for a temporary injunction. Abbott’s office has described the lawsuit as politically motivated.
