In North Carolina, lieutenant governors have little real authority or duties, and they are often left to carve their own niche in state government.

Dalton, a Democrat, is launching a commission to help make high school more relevant.

The commission, Joining Our Businesses and Schools, seeks to link high schools with local economies. The panel will include 20 business and education leaders who will work on making high school graduates better prepared for a career.

"I'm excited about this opportunity to strengthen our high school curricula and make education more relevant for students," Dalton said.

The JOBS Commission is a grant-funded legislative commission that will tour the state and try to build on the successes of the state's award-winning early college themed high schools, which give high school students a head start on a college degree, an associate's degree or a job.

Dalton wrote the 2003 law that led to the establishment of more than 70 early college high schools across North Carolina.