Many believe the work should be financed by the 'public purse'. [=should be paid for by the government]
Companies are expected to 'loosen the purse strings' as the economy improves.
School administrators are already 'tightening (the) purse strings'.
(..) Lisa's handbag. Yeah. How much does she have? Fifty cents. Here, take this. I got $ or so in my purse. Give me what you got. What about the rest? When those cops see Lisa, they'll even contribute. Hurry up. (..)1954 Rear Window
(..) and where she's going, she wouldn't need the handbag. Yes, but only her husband would know that. And that jewelry-- Women don't keep their jewelry in a purse... getting all twisted and scratched and tangled up. Well, do they hide it in their husband's clothes? They do not. (..)1954 Rear Window