Two of the most important functions of the office of Texas attorney general are defending the state's public information and open meetings statutes and enforcing the collection of child support judgments. On both, former Supreme Court Justice and state District Judge Greg Abbott has performed admirably and deserves to be re-elected to a third term as attorney general.

Under Abbott, the AG's office secured the first criminal conviction of a public official under the Public Information Act and the first criminal indictment of an official under the Open Meetings Act. His lawyers have swiftly processed more than 114,000 open records requests with rulings within 45 days or less.

In the process, Abbott's staff has challenged powerful political interests without flinching. He ruled that Gov. Rick Perry had to disclose staff papers on state budget levels and likewise opined that documents concerning the controversial Trans-Texas Corridor were public information.

"I've been an unparalleled, proven champion of open government laws," General Abbott told the Chronicle editorial board. "I have repeatedly made tough decisions that needed to be made against my fellow elected officials …. For those in the press, you have to have an attorney general who is on your side." He has supported shield laws to allow journalists to protect confidential sources, and co-authored a brief supporting reporters' privileges in federal proceedings.

Under Abbott, the state's child support program has netted more than $17 billion, and last year was awarded $44.8 million in federal incentive funds for outstanding performance. For every dollar spent last year in enforcement, the program returned $9.80, a ratio more than twice the national average.

"I've elevated our office to No. 1 in the nation," says Abbott of a program that not many years ago was a shambles.

On criminal enforcement, Abbott's administration has been similarly effective. An innovative cyber crimes unit has successfully thwarted sexual predators using the Internet to prey on children. A task force targeting human trafficking in Texas has coordinated efforts of law enforcement to crack down on this burgeoning area of criminality.

We also applaud General Abbott's call for a halt in foreclosures in Texas after questions were raised over the legality of their processing. The AG's office has sent notices to 27 lenders operating in Texas to suspend foreclosures while documentation is reviewed. The office has also called for a halt on sales of already foreclosed properties and evictions of residents until processing issues are resolved.

There are issues where we disagree with General Abbott, including his initiation or involvement in a flurry of lawsuits against the federal government. He joined in a 20-state constitutional challenge to the new health care legislation — a reform that we believe will help lower the high rate of medically uninsured Harris County residents. He has also challenged federal Environmental Protection Agency efforts to strengthen air pollution regulations, an issue of particular relevance to Houstonians who want improved air quality. Abbott joined a legal brief defending Arizona's controversial immigration law, legislation which Gov. Perry has described as inappropriate for Texas. He has also filed litigation challenging the federal government's conditions for giving Texas $830 million in education money. Congressman Lloyd Doggett, an Austin Democrat, had authored an amendment requiring the state to maintain its current level of education funding in order to receive the federal allocation.

Rather than picking counterproductive fights with the federal government, we believe the resources of the attorney general's office are best spent on the type of activities cited above that have demonstrably benefited all Texans. We hope General Abbott follows that course and eschews political posturing during his next term in office.