Officials are asking Vermont state government departments to create extremely cautious budget proposals for the next fiscal year.

Justin Johnson, Gov. Peter Shumlin's secretary of administration, sent a memo this week telling agencies and departments not to expect additional money from the general fund as they make their 2017 fiscal plans.

The Burlington Free Press reports that Johnson is anticipating another tight year for state finances. Last year, lawmakers had to plan around a $113 million gap between projected revenues and expenses. Johnson says it's too soon to know what next year's figure will be.

Initial level-funded budget summaries are due September 25. State agencies have been barred from adding new positions in their submissions.

Johnson says he expects about 300 state employees to retire this fall.