Schools in 'state of emergency'

New state schools superintendent Tom Torlakson declared a financial "state of emergency" Thursday for all California schools, while pledging to support any budget plan or ballot measure that prevents further cuts. Connie Llanos in the Daily News,

"The law won't let me call out the National Guard," Torlakson said, noting that 174 school districts are in financial jeopardy. "But it's time we call it what it is ... This is an emergency."

In his first official press conference since taking office Monday, Torlakson said he plans to complete a "top to bottom" review of the state Department of Education in an effort to cut costs.