By MDBayNews Staff
The campaign of Green Party gubernatorial candidate Andy Ellis and his running mate Owen Silverman Andrews released a sweeping eight-point “Education Justice Platform” Thursday, outlining a progressive vision for public education funding, labor rights, and governance in Maryland’s school system.
The proposal, announced in Baltimore, touches on several politically sensitive issues in Maryland education policy, including the future of the state’s ambitious Blueprint for Maryland’s Future reform plan, wage mandates for school employees, and expanded taxation of major nonprofit institutions. While the Green Party remains a minor political force in Maryland, the platform highlights policy debates that continue to shape the state’s education system.
A Progressive Blueprint Expansion
At the center of the Ellis/Andrews plan is a commitment to fully fund the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the sweeping education reform law passed in 2021 that dramatically expanded state spending on schools.
The candidates argue the state must follow through on the law’s promises without annual budget battles in Annapolis.
“We are five years into the Blueprint and the state is at a decision point,” Ellis said in the campaign’s announcement. “Does Maryland fulfill the promise, or does it force teachers, students, and families to come back to Annapolis each year to fight against cuts? We know what we will do—we will fulfill the promise.”
The platform also calls for restoring what the campaign describes as “teacher autonomy,” suggesting educators should have greater control over classroom instruction and curriculum decisions.
$25 Wage Floor for School Workers
Among the most eye-catching proposals is a $25 per hour minimum wage for education support professionals, including paraprofessionals, custodians, cafeteria workers, and other school staff.
Supporters of higher wages for school workers argue that chronic staff shortages are linked to low pay. However, critics note that such mandates could significantly increase costs for local school systems already facing rising budget pressures.
Maryland’s public education system is primarily funded through a combination of state and county spending, meaning any large wage increases would likely require additional tax revenue or cuts elsewhere in local budgets.
Expanding Labor Rights in Schools
The Ellis/Andrews platform also proposes expanding labor rights in education, including strike rights and full collective bargaining authority for school and library employees.
That proposal would represent a major shift in Maryland labor law. Currently, many public sector workers—including teachers—face limitations on striking due to concerns about disruptions to essential public services.
Advocates for expanded labor rights argue that collective bargaining power is necessary to improve working conditions and retain educators. Opponents warn that allowing strikes in public education could leave families scrambling for childcare and interrupt student learning.
Multilingual Education and Homeschool Support
The campaign’s platform also calls for expanded support for multilingual education programs statewide, reflecting the growing diversity of Maryland’s student population.
Maryland schools have seen a steady increase in English-language learners in recent years, particularly in counties such as Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Baltimore City.
Interestingly, the platform also includes support for homeschool cooperatives and community-based education programs, a position that may appeal to some families seeking alternatives to traditional public schooling.
Governance Reforms
Another portion of the proposal focuses on school governance, including expanding elected school board seats and providing stipends for student board members.
Supporters say such reforms could increase democratic accountability and give students a greater voice in decisions affecting their education. Critics caution that increased politicization of school boards has already contributed to contentious battles over curriculum and school policies nationwide.
Taxing Major Nonprofit Institutions
Perhaps the most controversial element of the plan involves tax reform targeting large nonprofit institutions, including Johns Hopkins University.
The campaign points to Hopkins’ approximately $13.5 billion endowment and notes that universities and hospitals classified as nonprofit entities typically pay little or no property tax.
Ellis and Andrews argue that requiring payments from such institutions could generate new funding for public education.
Opponents of similar proposals have historically argued that nonprofit universities already contribute significantly to local economies through jobs, research funding, and community programs.
Maryland Public Bank Proposal
The platform also calls for creating a Maryland Public Bank to finance school construction and renovation projects.
Public banking proposals have gained traction among some progressive activists, who argue that state-owned banks could lower borrowing costs for public infrastructure.
However, the concept has faced skepticism from fiscal conservatives who question the risks of government-run banking operations and potential political influence over lending decisions.
A Long-Shot Campaign in a Two-Party State
While the Ellis/Andrews campaign’s policy platform reflects the priorities of progressive activists within the Green Party, the reality of Maryland’s political landscape presents steep challenges.
Maryland remains a heavily Democratic state, and third-party candidates historically struggle to gain traction in statewide races. The major political battles in 2026 are expected to take place within the Democratic and Republican primaries.
Still, third-party campaigns can influence policy debates by introducing ideas that eventually filter into mainstream political discussion.
For Ellis and Andrews, the goal appears to be placing education funding, labor rights, and tax fairness squarely on the agenda ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race.
Whether those ideas gain broader traction remains to be seen.
The campaign says the full platform is available at gogreen2026.com/education, and the candidates plan to discuss the proposal in a livestream event.
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