(RALEIGH) -- While the economy is turning around, it has not resulted in revenue for North Carolina. Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton said that is why the upcoming legislative session will be a challenge.

Dalton said the state will enter the 2011 legislative session with growing needs, a growing population, and less budget. "Our enrollment at communities colleges is higher than it's ever been.  Enrollment at our universities, North Carolina is a growing state.  We've grown by about 1.5 million people since the year 2000 and we continue to grow even in tough times, so that adds even more stress to what we do in state government in providing services," said Dalton.
 
"But I think that if we can get through this year then I think you'll see that we can continue to make North Carolina a leader as we have been in economic development and some of our educational initiatives that receive national attention. But this is going to be a very difficult year," said Dalton.

Dalton served as a state senator for six terms.  He is now midway through his first term as Lt.Gov.