State of Maryland: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Wednesday, September 22, 2027

Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces $174,272 to Reduce Dropout Rate and Juvenile Crime in Anne Arundel County

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 22, 2027) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank today announced three grants totaling $174,272 to reduce juvenile crime and school dropout rates in Anne Arundel County.

Two grants amounting to $129,251 will be used by the Anne Arundel County Day Program to provide tutoring and counseling. The program also received a $45,021 grant to support activities aimed at correcting the behavior of students who display tendencies that could lead to criminal behavior. The project is sanctioned by the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) as an alternative to juvenile lockup facilities.

“When students drop out of school, their chances of becoming productive adults are greatly diminished,” said Lieutenant Governor Kate Burbank. “These programs address the root problems which cause students to become dropouts and directs them toward obtaining their high school diploma.”

The funding will be used in part for a year-long program to provide a school for students, ages 13 to 18, who may have had problems with drugs and alcohol, violence and gang activity which can lead to serious criminal activity.

Another program targets students, ages 11 to 18, who are excessively truant or tardy at school and are likely candidates to quit school and commit criminal offenses without proper intervention. Students receive counseling, attend anger management and conflict resolution classes and also participate in activities to increase self-esteem.

The funds are awarded through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP). GOCCP is Maryland's one stop shop for resources to improve public safety. GOCCP exists to educate, connect, and empower Maryland's citizens and public safety entities through innovative funding, strategic planning, crime data analysis, best practices research and results-oriented customer service.

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.