This commentary from the Walla-Walla Bulletin does not necessarily reflect the view of The Spokesman-Review’s editorial board.

The state’s six public college and university presidents have grown weary of mock budget-cutting drills.

The presidents were asked by the state Office of Financial Management to create a budget based on a hypothetical 15 percent reduction in state funding. The OFM, which answers to Gov. Jay Inslee, wants each university and college to name specific programs they would cut and put them in order of priority.

The situation seems to be close to a tipping point for the schools, students and parents footing the bills for college. Bravo to the presidents for at least focusing attention on hypothetical budget cuts that serve only to irk state employees and those who benefit from state services. This problem needs to be addressed with stark reality.

University of Washington President Michael Young said he believes Gov. Jay Inslee’s budget-cutting exercise was meant to send a signal that more reductions would be catastrophic.

The presidents politely – but firmly – declined. They do, however, continue to rail against the cuts and note that critical classes will have to be eliminated.

Whether the public hears specifics or generalities, many people just tune out. They’ve heard those cries before.

But forcing the schools to detail what would be cut and who would lose their jobs will cause serious problems. Putting a target on the backs of employees is a horrible way to run a government. It makes it tough for any organization to pull together during tough times.

Young and his colleagues at Eastern, Central, Western, WSU and Evergreen State College are wise to keep the proposed cuts in general terms, at least until the Legislature gets serious about budgeting.

Unfortunately, despite signs the economy – and tax collections – are picking up, money is still tight. The state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision mandating the Legislature fully fund basic education will likely prompt lawmakers to consider slashing higher education (and everything else) as they did during the Great Recession.

Lawmakers have to find a better way and ultimately establish a dedicated funding source.

For now, higher education – and the presidents – can only hang on during this very bumpy ride. The universities and college have been getting short shrift on funding, and tuition has grown to an unreasonably high rate.

Washington now ranks in the top third of public college tuition costs and is in the bottom third in terms of government (taxpayer) subsidy. Tuition rose 37 percent while state funds allocated to higher education were slashed by about 28 percent. Only a decade ago, the public picked up the tab for a University of Washington education. It’s now down to a mere 30 percent.

Public educations aren’t all that public anymore, a fact that is limiting access to higher education to far too many qualified people.