Final answer:
The statement is true as the carryover of unencumbered, unexpended appropriations depends on specific government policies, which vary by jurisdiction and can be affected by shifts in budget plans due to policy decisions and unexpected events.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or false: At the end of the budget period, unencumbered, unexpended appropriations may or may not carry forward, depending on the government's policy. This statement is true. All levels of government—federal, state, and local—have budgets that detail expected revenue and expenditure plans. However, the continuing use of unexpended funds is dependent on specific government policies, which may allow for such appropriations to be carried forward into future periods or may require them to be returned to a general fund or treasury. This policy varies by jurisdiction and is not universally applied. For instance, the federal government had periods of both deficits and surpluses, such as the budget surpluses from 1998-2001, but these do not directly correlate with policies on carrying forward unexpended funds.
Furthermore, budgets can change significantly due to policy decisions and unexpected events, which can influence these carryover policies. Universal generalizations about the budget process cannot be made without taking into account the complex and variable nature of government financial management and policy-making.