Weekly Media Briefing: Ellis/Andrews Campaign 3/2/2026-3/8/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2026
CONTACT: Andy Ellis
andy@gogreen2026.com
March 2-8, 2026 -- Education policy, stadium hearings, and the push to open Maryland's debates
Big Education Week in Annapolis
Education bills are moving through the General Assembly on multiple fronts this week. The Baltimore Teachers Union is sending members to Annapolis Monday night to lobby legislators directly for a $25-an-hour starting wage for education support professionals, the legal right to strike for public employees, full Blueprint funding.
"We're releasing our education platform this week because the unions are in the building and the bills are on the calendar. What BTU is fighting for tonight is exactly what Owen and I built into our platform, with specific funding sources attached. We didn't poll-test this. We built it from what we heard from teachers and education workers. When the people who work in the buildings tell the general assembly what they need, we listen" said Andy Ellis, seeking the Green Party nomination for Governor with running mate Owen Silverman Andrews.
*Read more about our campaign priorities: https://www.gogreen2026.com/priorities
Carroll Park Soccer Stadium Bills Get Two Hearings This Week
Two bills in the Maryland General Assembly, HB 1078 and SB 883, would authorize $216.6 million in state bonds for a soccer stadium at Baltimore's Carroll Park. The financing mechanism diverts sports wagering revenue that currently funds the Blueprint for Maryland's Future education fund. Since sports betting launched, that fund has sent $245 million to Maryland schools. House Appropriations hears HB 1078 on Tuesday, March 3 at 1:00 PM. Senate Finance hears SB 883 on Thursday, March 5 at 1:00 PM.
"This is the same bill, in two chambers, in one week. The money comes from sports betting revenue that voters were told would fund education. Two hundred forty-five million dollars has gone to Maryland schools. These bills would redirect that revenue to a minor league soccer stadium for two teams that don't play in Major League Soccer. Baltimore should have soccer. But not by raiding the education fund, and not through a deal structured to benefit developers while taxpayers carry the risk," said Andy Ellis.
*Read more about our campaign priorities: https://www.gogreen2026.com/priorities
HB 101 Gains Momentum Ahead of Crossover
HB 101 would require Maryland's publicly funded television stations to invite all ballot qualified gubernatorial candidates to any general election debate they hold. The bill is gaining momentum ahead of the crossover deadline on March 23.
"This bill still has a long way to go, but the reception in committee has been genuinely encouraging. Delegates are engaging with the substance. The question we're asking is simple: if Maryland taxpayers fund these stations, shouldn't Maryland voters get to hear from everyone on the ballot? That argument is landing. It's a matter of time and showing legislators that voters want this," said Andy Ellis.
*Read more about our debate access platform: https://www.gogreen2026.com/debate
This Week's Livestream
Join Andy Ellis and Owen Silverman Andrews Thursday at 7 PM ET on YouTube.
Guest: Dr. Steve Llano, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at St. John's University and author of How to Watch Presidential Debates Without Losing It (Springer, 2025). Llano will discuss debate access and debate as civic education.
Watch live at youtube.com/@GoGreen2026.
On the Calendar This Week
Tuesday, March 3, 1:00 PM: HB 1078 hearing (Carroll Park Soccer Stadium) -- House Appropriations, Annapolis
Wednesday, March 4: HB 1378, HB 1403, HB 1405, HB 1448 hearings -- Government, Labor, and Elections Committee, Annapolis
Thursday, March 5, 1:00 PM: SB 883 hearing (Carroll Park Soccer Stadium) -- Senate Finance, Annapolis
Thursday, March 5, 7:00 PM: Weekly Livestream with Dr. Steve Llano -- YouTube
About the Ellis/Andrews Campaign
Andy Ellis and Owen Silverman Andrews are running for Governor and Lt. Governor on the Green Party ticket. Their campaign is seeking public financing and small donors. Learn more at gogreen2026.com.