AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A state budget that encompasses key policy changes proposed by Maine Gov. Paul LePage, including pension rollbacks and tax breaks, was on the verge of final approval Wednesday after the Senate joined the House in delivering overwhelming votes in favor of the $6.1 billion package.

"It seemed like this day would never come," said Sen. Dawn Hill, D-Cape Neddick, before the Senate's 29-6 vote to pass the bill. The Senate vote and House tally of 120-26 earlier in the day were buoyed by a unanimous, bipartisan recommendation by the Appropriations Committee to pass the bill.

"We were able to craft a unanimous budget in the most difficult of times," said Sen. Richard Rosen, R-Bucksport, the Senate chair of Appropriations. A final Senate enactment vote needed to send the bill to the governor is expected Thursday.