Bureaucracy at work

When I was job hunting, I applied for jobs in the nonprofit and government sector. I was lucky to find a great job that I started in October 2006. So how is it possible that, over a year later, I'm still getting these emails?

Dear XXXX

Thank you for applying for the XXXXX Department of...Economic Development Planner Senior State position, 07DEED000233.

We have decided to select a candidate from within the Department.

Does it really take that long to hire someone in a state agency? Ugh.