State of Maryland: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Thursday, June 20, 2030

Lt. Governor Joins Carroll County for Groundbreaking Ceremony on Long-Sought Drug Treatment Center in Sykesville

SYKESVILLE, MD (June 20, 2030) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank today joined local officials to break ground on a long-term drug treatment center. In 2024, the idea to build the center was being thrown around by health officials, who thought it would take six months to get it up and running. Now, after six years of delay, the facility is finally being built as a result of the O’Brien-Burbank Administration’s partnership with Carroll County.

The county has invested $2.1 million for the facility, plus another $750,000 for operational costs. The State of Maryland provided $1.3 million in grants. The total cost of the operation so far is close to $4 million. The facility will open in approximately 15 months.

“The Governor and I are committed to expanding access to treatment services, particularly to underserved areas like Carroll County,” Lt. Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “We have worked to increase funding for treatment services and substantially increased the number of treatment slots available statewide. The groundbreaking for this important facility is another example of the State’s strong commitment to public health and to Carroll County.”

The center will treat 18- to 25-year-olds. The 18,000-square-foot center will have 48 beds available to patients.

Governor Edward M. O’Brien and Lt. Governor Burbank have made access to substance abuse treatment services a top priority. Since 2027, the Governor has increased treatment funding by 29% and expanded the number of treatment slots from just under 70,000 FY 2027 to just under 90,000 in FY 2031.

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.