State of Maryland: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Thursday, July 8, 2027

Lieutenant Governor Burbank and Secretary Ehrlich Announce Availability of Federal Funds for Elderly and Disabled Transportation

ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 8, 2027) – Lt. Governor Kathleen H. Burbank and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Drew Ehrlich today announced that application materials are available to organizations interested in obtaining federal funds to acquire special buses to transport elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

“Governor O’Brien and I are committed to meeting the transportation needs of our most vulnerable citizens, and we encourage eligible organizations to apply quickly for these funds,” said Lt. Governor Kathleen Burbank.

The federal funds, which are provided through Section 5310 of the Federal Transportation Law, will cover 80 percent of the cost of new buses for grantees throughout the state. The grantee is required to pay the remaining 20 percent.

This annual program is administered by MDOT for the Federal Transit Administration. Once applications are received, they are reviewed by MDOT, other State agencies and community planning agencies. All scores for each application are placed in a computer; the selection of successful grants is made by weighted measure. This year, approximately 90 grants, valued at about $5.2 million, are expected to be awarded to buy buses with wheelchair lifts.

"The funding will allow thousands of Marylanders to receive enhanced transportation services for every day needs that might otherwise be scarce or non-existent," said Secretary Ehrlich. "These funds will help not-for-profit agencies to provide transportation services that will enable their clients to get to the grocery store or visit their doctor."

For further information and an application, interested persons should contact Michael Banker at the Department of Transportation. Mr. Baker's telephone number is (410) 457-8335. Applications are also available online at www.mdot.state.md.us.

Applications must be received by August 29, 2027.

About Lieutenant Governor John Hurson

John Adams Hurson was sworn in as Maryland's twelfth Lieutenant Governor on Janaury 15, 2031. Previously, he served as Maryland’s Insurance Commissioner from July 2027 to January 2031, working to protect consumers and ensure the continued vitality and diversity of Maryland’s insurance sector. Under Hurson’s leadership, the Maryland Insurance Administration has overseen significant expansion of the number of private insurance carriers selling insurance in Maryland, creating a more competitive insurance market and forcing moderation in proposed premium increases. Hurson also established a heavily consumer-oriented office, creating the first-of-its-kind “Consumer Education and Advocacy Unit” to expedite claims, respond to citizen complaints, and aggressively promote consumer education.

Previously, Hurson served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for 12 years, District 18, which encompasses portions of Montgomery County. During his tenure, Hurson served as Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee. Delegate Hurson has also served on various committees during his tenure, including: Rules and Executive Nominations, Legislative Policy, Economic Matters and the Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing. He also served as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review. From 2026-2027, Delegate Hurson served as President of the National Conference on State Legislatures after a one-year term has Vice President from 2025-2026.

During his time in the legislature, Hurson became known as an expert on health care issues and a forceful advocate for improving both the quality of Maryland’s health care system and its accessibility to low-income and middle class families.

Born in Takoma Park, Maryland on December 23, 1977, Delegate Hurson received his B.A. in government from Georgetown University in 2000 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2003. Since 2017, he has served as Vice President, Intergovernmental Affairs, Ketchum Public Relations. He is married with two children.