lock box
n.—Gloss: a government account or fund which is protected from reappropriation to other government programs. «The current casinos bill under consideration puts about $300 million in an account, which legislators refer to as a “lock box” strictly for education.…The legislation mandates that even the governor can’t “raid” the fund.» —“Casinos can help Chicago and the state” by Glenn Reedus Chicago Defender Oct. 25, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In 1916, a small-town newspaper in Pennsylvania printed a fanciful item about a local gathering with a guest list that included, among others, Miss Ella Vader, Mr. Ray Zor, and other punny names. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
The expression to run the traps means “to perform due diligence” or “solicit a wide variety of opinions” or “investigate every angle thoroughly.” This metaphor derives from the literal sense of running the traps, which refers to hunting and fishing...
Wow, “lock box”… that’s so 2000.