PORTLAND (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s administration says Attorney General Janet Mills is hindering the governor’s ability to adequately pursue legal cases when she disagrees with his position.

Holly Lusk, a lawyer representing the Republican governor, told the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday that it’s inappropriate that Mills, a Democrat, has the power to limit how much the administration can spend on private attorneys when she declines to represent the state.

LePage asked the court last month to decide whether he must get Mills’ permission to hire private lawyers when she refuses to represent him.

Assistant Attorney General Phyllis Gardiner said that Mills has exercised her authority under state law but has not prevented the administration from moving forward in legal matters.

The justices didn’t make a decision Thursday.