AUGUSTA (AP) — A bill aimed at addressing Maine’s heroin crisis continues to advance.

The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee voted 9- 4 Tuesday to advance the bipartisan bill that aims to fight the heroin epidemic through the hiring of more drug agents, along with treatment, prevention, and recovery. Four House Republicans voted against it.

Lawmakers had promised to address the governor’s request for more drug agents after LePage threatened to call up the National Guard.

The governor signaled that he’d object to the bill unless there’s competitive bidding for a detox center that’s included in the bill.

Comments are not available on this story.