Originally posted by derleider:
Its the simpler number - there are two factors - state and non-state. The others you have multiple categories - which makes for a harder sound bite.
Think of it this way - do you really know whether 33% is high or low in this context (compared to other states or schools in NJ), assuming you didnt already have knowledge of the 20%. Sure 20% sounds better, but not if you have to qualify it with three other things. 33% state funding for a state university sounds sufficiently low to the intended audience.
It also happens that 33% and 67% is more or less the exact reverse of the situation back in the early 90s.