AUGUSTA — Maine’s attorney general says the state’s highest court shouldn’t offer an opinion on whether Republican Gov. Paul LePage can hire private lawyers without her permission.

LePage asked the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to weigh in on the issue last month. The Republican says giving Attorney General Janet Mills, a Democrat, power to deny him outside counsel could prevent him from carrying out his policies.

Mills responded in a brief Friday that LePage’s questions don’t constitute the “solemn occasion” needed for the court to render an advisory opinion. Among other things, her office has never denied him outside counsel. She says the possibility that it may at some point is too “abstract and uncertain” to meet the threshold.

Lawyers will make their arguments Feb. 26.