Most states require that dividends not exceed the balance in retained earnings, and stockholders may wish to have extra dividends distributed when the retained earnings balance becomes relatively large. However, individual entities may have various long-range plans and commitment that do not allow for current distribution of dividends, and firms may provide for the dissemination of this information through an appropriation of retained earnings. A retained earnings appropriation is measured as the amount of retained earnings set aside for the stated purpose. It should be emphasized that retained earnings appropriations do not provide the cash to finance such projects and are presented only to show managerial intent. This intent might just as easily be disclosed through a footnote.