AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers gave motorists using a northern stretch of Interstate 95 the green light to go 75 mph on Tuesday as they sped toward adjournment, but still fell short of finishing business for the 2011 session.

Making a major dent in the remaining workload before completing business for the year, lawmakers also let stand Gov. Paul LePage’s vetoes of several bills and moved a bill to allow charter schools in the state a step closer to enactment.

They also made headway in clearing away the 90 or so bills awaiting decisions on whether they’ll be funded, notably the measure to raise the speed limit on I-95 between Old Town and Houlton.

“I voted for it but I’ll go 65,” said Rep. Herbert Clark, a Democrat from Millinocket, which is smack in the middle of the more than 100-mile stretch of highway. “If people have an opportunity and want to do 75, they should do 75.”

With action taken on those and other bills, lawmakers were in a position to complete their 2011 session on Wednesday, although there was some speculation their work may carry over to the following day. But with work completed on a $6.1 billion budget for the two years starting Friday, a health insurance overhaul, regulatory reform and other major issues, the heavy lifting for the year is over.

Tuesday, Clark said the I-95 bill was supported by those who feel they should be allowed to step it up along the mostly desolate section of highway, which traverses forests, bogs and farm fields so they can make better time.

Because of a projected loss of close to $100,000 in revenue from speeding tickets, the bill wound up competing with 90 others for a scant $800,000 in available funding. Another bill that secured funding and won final passage allows the state to establish a three-day period in which a nonresident snowmobiler may ride in Maine without having a sled registered in the state, provided the nonresident’s state allows Mainers the same privilege.

Those and other bills now go to LePage for his signature.

Legislation to authorize charter schools, an idea strongly endorsed by the Republican governor as a way to help students who don’t perform well in traditional schools, came a step closer to enactment when it won final approval in the House, without debate, by an 88-51 vote. The bill won final Senate approval Tuesday evening and was sent to LePage, who said he’ll sign it Wednesday. Some 40 other states allow charter schools.

The bill before lawmakers would allow no more than 10 public charter schools in the first decade. It would also limit the number of students who can attend them in the first three years to protect smaller non-charter public schools.

The GOP-ruled Legislature showed no inclination to override any of the vetoes sent to them by the governor. Most of them sought studies or reports, whose costs raised concerns from the governor.

A Senate vote fell short of giving final passage to a citizen-initiated bill calling for racinos in Biddeford and Washington, meaning voters will get the final word on the proposal. The bill appeared headed for voters no matter what the Legislature did. LePage threatened to veto it, which would also have killed it and sent it to referendum. Initiated bills must either pass as presented or, if rejected, sent to voters.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

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