AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott has appealed a judge’s decision that ordered him to allow his Democratic challenger to review unredacted communications involving Elon Musk.
On Monday, a Travis County judge issued a temporary order requiring Abbott’s office to let state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who is running for Texas governor, inspect these records by Thursday. CBS Austin has been following this case as the dispute over public access to high-level government emails plays out in the final days before Election Day.
On Sunday, before the ruling, Hinojosa discussed the emails on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
“We can’t be afraid to do what’s right as leaders in Texas, and so the right thing is to see what are these emails about,” Hinojosa said.
Hinojosa filed the lawsuit earlier this month after an earlier records request by The Texas Newsroom produced about 1,400 pages, many of them heavily redacted or blacked out. Abbott’s office previously argued some information was too personal to release.
“There’s a lot that we need to see, and as a legislator, I have a responsibility and a right to see what those emails are about,” Hinojosa said.
Abbott’s press secretary said in a statement:
“This lawsuit is a baseless stunt and nothing more than an act of desperation. State Representative Gina Hinojosa is misusing her official capacity as an outgoing lawmaker to generate headlines for political purposes. The Office of the Governor has appealed.”
According to Hinojosa’s request, she wants to examine communications involving state tax breaks and grants, Starlink broadband, data center development and public beach access.
The timeline laid out in the case includes Sept. 29, when Hinojosa requested access; Oct. 19, when she sued; and yesterday, when a judge ordered access and Abbott appealed.
Thursday is the original records deadline. Friday is the end of early voting. On Monday, Nov. 2, a judge will consider a longer-lasting order and Abbott’s legal challenge. Next Tuesday is Election Day.
The judge’s findings are preliminary but indicate Hinojosa has shown a probable right to inspect the records for legislative purposes. The question now is whether Abbott’s appeal delays her access.