The government uses the public purse to pay for new roads.
public purse
idiomA quantity of money collected by a government through taxation and other methods, and used for public purposes; public funds, public money.
The city council debated how to use the public purse to improve local schools and parks.
Critics argued that the administration failed to manage the public purse responsibly, leading to significant deficits during the economic downturn.
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air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
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air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
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common purse
A shared or community fund.
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court of public opinion
The news media and the public at large, seen as being able to deliver a judgement on someone in the manner of a judge.
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cut one's cloth to suit one's purse
To settle for less when money or resources are limited.
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go public
To make something public; to announce publicly or to the press.
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hold the purse strings
To be in control of spending; to have financial power and responsibility.
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John Q. Public
A generic individual; some hypothetical average or ordinary citizen.