The vote to pass a compromise plan is 97-49, but it’s not enough to override a LePage veto, the same as in the Senate.

If the practice exists for officials to get around public access-to-records laws – and testimony suggests it does – a LePage official says a ban may be needed.

Meanwhile, the deputy director says she ordered junior staff to destroy public documents, but says she didn’t know it was illegal.

In a critical vote, the state Senate backs a compromise 22-13 but falls just shy of a veto-proof majority, threatening to relegate the issue to campaign fodder.

He calls for adding 22 people to law enforcement and prosecution, but critics believe treatment and prevention are better strategies.

Democrats pan the proposal – which calls for $100 million in unspecified cuts – as an election-year gimmick.