Final answer:
In government financial terminology, the term 'commitment' and 'appropriations' have distinct meanings, hence it is false to consider them synonymous. 'Commitment' involves administrative reservation of funds, while 'appropriations' are the legal designation of funds by the legislature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The federal budgetary term commitment is false when said to be synonymous with appropriations as used in state and local government terminology. A commitment is an administrative reservation of funds after an appropriation is made, which precedes a legal obligation. On the other hand, appropriations refer to the legislative act of designating funds for particular purposes, setting aside funds for specific uses, and are legally binding.
Appropriations bills signify the authority given by Congress to federal agencies to spend federal funds. Therefore, while related to budgeting and finance, commitment and appropriations carry different meanings and contexts within government financial management processes.