AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) The Maine Legislature has given final approval to an $8.3 billion budget with Democrats pushing it through over Republican objections.

The two-year budget normally needs a two-thirds majority vote to go into effect before the fiscal year begins. But Democratic leaders planned to put it into effect with a simple majority by adjourning Tuesday night and reconvening later.

That would allow the budget to go into effect in 90 days, before the start of the new fiscal year.

Republicans were incensed over the move. In a statement, House Republicans accused Democratic leadership of abandoning precedent to silence Republicans and Independents.