[A Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article reports](http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/34916319.html) one in ten jobs at four key state agencies are now vacant, reflecting the state’s aim to reduce hiring in the wake of the budget deficit. Gov. Jim Doyle is hoping to extend that figure to all state agencies in less than a year, which would mean the state would have roughly 3,500 vacant posts by next summer. The state estimates that each vacant job saves the state $75,000 in salary and benefits. With my trusty desktop calculator, I found that 3,500 free jobs would translate into $262 million of savings for Uncle…Sconnie? A significant amount of cash — but less than a 20th of the projected budget deficit of nearly $5.5 billion. Here’s another number that if significantly reduced, could actually effect serious social progress in the state: $1.2 billion corrections budget. Yes, we imprison three times as many in Wisconsin as the Minnesotans do, despite having near-identical populations and crime rates.