Ellis Proposes Doubling Public Television Investment in Year One, Quadrupling Within Four Years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2026
CONTACT: Andy Ellis info@gogreen2026.com
Green Party candidate calls for expanding MPT programming to include all political perspectives
BALTIMORE — Green Party gubernatorial candidate Andy Ellis today released a civic engagement platform that would double Maryland's investment in public television in the first year and quadruple it within four years, while expanding programming to represent the state's full political spectrum.
The proposal increases state funding for Maryland Public Television from the current $13.9 million to approximately $28 million in year one, rising to $56 million within four years. The plan responds directly to federal cuts that eliminated $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, costing MPT approximately $4 million annually.
"The best defense for public television isn't just replacing lost federal dollars," said Ellis. "It's expanding who public television serves. When Marylanders across the political spectrum see their perspectives represented on MPT, they'll fight to protect it. That's how we push back against federal austerity, by making democracy more inclusive."
The release precedes Ellis's testimony on House Bill 101, legislation requiring state-funded broadcasters to include all ballot-certified candidates in debates. The civic engagement platform complements the campaign's democracy platform, which calls for ranked choice voting, proportional representation, and dedicated political programming for all ballot-qualified parties on MPT.
Governor Moore's FY2027 budget allocates $13.9 million in general fund support for MPT, essentially flat from prior years. The Ellis proposal would double that to approximately $28 million in year one, with additional funding for coverage of state and local government, investigative journalism, and programming reflecting Maryland's diverse communities.
Lt. Governor candidate Owen Silverman Andrews connected the proposal to his experience as an educator and organizer.
"I've spent years watching people disengage from politics because they don't see themselves in the conversation," said Andrews. "Maryland has six million residents and countless perspectives. Taxpayer-funded public television should reflect that reality—not just amplify the same two parties that dominate everywhere else."
The platform also proposes universal debate education in public schools, doubling the Maryland State Library Agency operating budget, deliberative town halls with elected officials, participatory budgeting for state and local governments, and citizen assemblies on major policy questions.
The campaign urged supporters to contact their delegates in support of HB 101.
The full civic engagement platform is available at gogreen2026.com/civic-engagement.
The democracy platform is at gogreen2026.com/democracy.
About the Ellis/Andrews Campaign
Andy Ellis and Owen Silverman Andrews are seeking the Green Party nomination for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Maryland in 2026. Their campaign focuses on grassroots democracy, economic justice, and environmental sustainability. The campaign is seeking to be publicly financed through Maryland's Fair Election Fund. Learn more at gogreen2026.com.