Texans deserve to know what their leaders are doing behind closed doors. Governor Greg Abbott’s office just released nearly 1,400 emails with Elon Musk’s companies, and nearly all of them were blacked out.

Only around 200 pages are readable, and most of those contain publicly available information or vague meeting details. What’s missing could reveal how state officials work with one of the most powerful businessmen in the world, and how policy decisions are being shaped outside the public eye.

This is not transparency. It’s a warning sign.

Abbott’s office and Musk’s lawyers fought hard to keep the emails secret, citing “trade secrets” and even “intimate and embarrassing” content. The Texas Attorney General allowed the redactions, using loopholes in state law that have made public oversight harder year after year.

Here’s what we know:

• Musk’s companies have received grants and favorable policy treatment in Texas.
• The state asked for just $244.64 to process this request — then delivered mostly blacked-out pages.
• There is almost no way for the public to challenge this under current law.

That’s unacceptable.

We are calling on Governor Abbott and the Attorney General to release the full, unredacted emails with Elon Musk’s companies.

We also urge state lawmakers to strengthen the Texas Public Information Act so that corporations can’t decide what the public is allowed to see.

When government and billionaires meet behind closed doors, the people lose their voice. Texans deserve to know how decisions are made — and who benefits.

Sign this petition if you believe in open government, real accountability, and the public’s right to the truth.

Photo: Andrea Wise/ProPublica