Think the state's huge prison system isn't a drag on the economy? Plans to expand the number of beds in prisons got revised downward recently when the bill for each bed came in 48% higher than expected -- a whopping $222,000 per, according to the Sacramento Bee.

That suggests a different tack. Instead of building vast new prisons, why not build each inmate a small 1-bedroom house somewhere? It would cost about the same, and it would spur the state's moribund housing industry. And think of all those lovely property taxes it would generate.

Besides, it's always said that home ownership makes people more responsible. So why not lift up the poor unfortunates in our criminal justice system, and boost the economy at the same time? Makes as much sense as anything else coming out of Sacramento these days.