An appropriation is a statutory authorization against which expenditures may be made during a specific State fiscal year, and from which disbursements may be made, for the purposes designated, up to the stated amount of the appropriation.
Appropriations are authorizations, rather than mandates, to spend.
An appropriation thus represents maximum spending authority unless a lower maximum has been set by a disbursement ceiling. This category relates to appropriations for the operation of State agencies, regardless of fund source. Aid to Localities . This category includes all appropriations for aid to localities, regardless of fund source. Capital Projects .