Seems to me ZOS is trying to subtly reverse some power creep.

But people tend to be very resistant to changes, especially changes that make them feel like their progress and achievements are being taken from them. The flat, across-the-boardness of this might have been enough to temper this feeling from the players, but on the other hand, it is taking power away from people who put in some effort to achieve that power.

I'm personally still not sure how I feel about it. It seems like it might do a much better job of "lowering the ceiling and raising the floor" than the poorly-thought-out Sustain changes with the Morrowind patch. But it also seems like those who've worked to maximize their characters are getting something that gives them joy taken away. I guess I'll wait and see.