Former Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage contends a federal lawsuit filed by a political adversary is moot because he's no longer governor.
Former Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves sued when a job offer from a charter school operator was rescinded because LePage threatened to withhold funding.
The Portland Press Herald reports that LePage's lawyer contends the claims against LePage are no longer open for argument now that he's out of office.
But Eves' attorney wants the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals to rule because the lawsuit raises important questions about "constitutional boundary lines for the legislative and executive branches."
An appeal of the lawsuit's dismissal was argued last April in Boston, and the motion to dismiss was filed last month. There is no timetable for a ruling.