(RALEIGH) -- A bill that would direct Governor Bev Perdue to find nearly $540 million in savings from the current state budget is headed for a final vote in the North Carolina Senate. The measure is the second attempt by lawmakers to reduce state spending in order to better prepare for next year's budget shortfall.

This latest proposal does not mandate any cuts to economic development programs, something that prompted Gov. Beverly Perdue to veto a similar bill.  Senate President Phil Berger said this time around lawmakers are letting Perdue choose where the cuts should occur. "We think the more important thing at this point is to get us to a dollar figure, at least closer to a dollar figure, that we can use to balance the budget next year," said Berger.

The measure passed on an initial vote of 41-8. Senators are expected to cast a final vote on the bill on Wednesday.