By Michael Shepherd - April 6, 2023
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📷 Attorney General Aaron Frey attends the inauguration of Gov. Janet Mills on Jan. 4, 2023, at the Augusta Civic Center. (AP photo by Robert F. Bukaty)

Good morning from Augusta. The Legislature is in today. Here are the House and Senate calendars, plus the committee agenda.

What we're watching today

The Maine attorney general tasked his No. 2 with investigating his relationship with a colleague. Attorney General Aaron Frey's disclosure that he has been in a relationship since August with a married employee whom he supervised led to a few strong reactions in the State House on Wednesday, but information about how Frey's office handled this is still coming out.

After the Bangor Daily News began investigating tips about the relationship, Frey released a statement late Tuesday in which he confirmed it, said his No. 2 was now supervising his romantic partner that he "formerly supervised" and apologized for not making a new supervisory arrangement sooner.

Virtually all day, the Democrat did not answer key questions. In the late evening, Cara Courchesne, a communications professional hired by Frey to respond to questions, confirmed Deputy Attorney General Christopher Taub only began supervising the subordinate on Tuesday. She also said Taub conducted a review last week finding Frey violated no rules or laws, something the attorney general said in his statement without referencing a review.

A close reading of the attorney general's harassment policy finds that this may be correct. It does not address consensual workplace relationships. But if Frey was a rank-and-file supervisor in Gov. Janet Mills' administration, he would have been at odds with a policy that says supervisors in relationships with subordinates must disclose them so other arrangements can be considered.

We still don't know everything about Taub's role in this. In response to questions about how others in the attorney general's office first learned of the relationship and whom Taub spoke to during the review, Courchesne said she had to learn more about state rules governing such reviews. Frey's official spokesperson, Danna Hayes, referred all questions to Courchesne.

Most top Democrats in Augusta were silent on Frey's disclosure, including Gov. Janet Mills. Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash said through a spokesperson that he was "deeply disappointed" in Frey and that his office would be reviewing the attorney general's policies. Legislative Republicans were harsh, with House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham of Winter Harbor saying Frey's conduct was "concerning and disturbing."

Frey only responded to Jackson, with Courchesne saying the attorney general understood the concerns and welcomed a review of his office's policies.

Before Frey issued his statement on Tuesday night, both he and his romantic partner sent messages to colleagues disclosing the relationship, according to emails obtained in a public-records request. The written responses from others in the office were positive, though one of them seemed surprised.

"Wow!! He’s a great person," one employee told the subordinate, referring to Frey. "I wish you both well."

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News and notes

📷 Passengers board the Amtrak Downeaster on March 8, 2023, in Freeport. (AP photo by Robert F. Bukaty)

🚆 Rail enthusiasts hit the State House ahead of hearings on major bills.

◉ Backers of four key rail proposals are holding lunchtime events on ideas to expand passenger service to Montreal, Rockland and Bangor that are at different stages in long-term planning processes.

◉ The eye-catching Montreal proposal re-emerged in the news last year when backers brought back their idea for a 14-hour overnight ride to Boston through Maine. Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, has championed extending rail to the Queen City, Lewiston-area politicians want service there and a federal expansion proposal eyed extending the Amtrak Downeaster to Rockland.

◉ Lawmakers on the transportation panel will hold hearings next week on a raft of rail bills, including proposed plans and studies on passenger rail to those three locations, as well as a study on passenger rail along four state-owned corridors. But cost and questions about interest loom. Read the bills.

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What we're reading

❗ A former top Maine lawmaker turned county commissioner steered a contract to his business associate.

📁 The mother of a 13-year-old sued a Damariscotta school alleging a counselor was helping the child transition genders.

⚡ A Maine jury will decide these questions about the $1 billion corridor. Here's a timeline to catch you up on the project.

🛍️ Lawmakers rejected an effort to repeal the plastic bag ban, Maine Public reports.

🌚 A 2024 solar eclipse may draw thousands to this Maine town. Here's your soundtrack. (It's not that soundtrack.)

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