 

In this week’s episode, Jennifer sits down with Renee Minogue, a dedicated education advocate, Fulbright Scholar, experienced homeschool mom of five, and community leader. Renee is not only the wife of gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue but also an accomplished educator who has helped students, including her own children, achieve academic excellence at prestigious institutions like Notre Dame. As a teacher, parent, and community organizer, Renee brings firsthand knowledge of education systems and an insider perspective to the urgent issues facing Massachusetts schools.



Jennifer and Renee dive deep into Massachusetts's persistent achievement gap, highlighting troubling public-school performance, especially in gateway cities. They explore the highly debated federal scholarship tax credit program, discussing its potential to transform education for special needs and underprivileged students without draining public school funding. The conversation takes a political turn as they challenge the Massachusetts Teachers Association and state leadership for putting power and politics above students' needs. Renee shares heartfelt campaign-trail stories about the real impact of educational inequity, and Jennifer and Renee both advocate putting resources directly into parents’ and students’ hands. They call out state leaders' hypocrisy and urge action before the clock runs out on this historic opportunity.



“I just hope that we're able to reach all the voters in Massachusetts and deliver that message that we're not in this for us; we're in it for them.” ~Renee Minogue



This week on Political Contessa:
Massachusetts’ deep achievement gap and what it means for students in struggling districts
Shocking proficiency rates on the state MCAS, with English and math proficiency around 40 percent
The promise and controversy of the federal scholarship tax credit program
How the tax credit could bring up to $2 billion annually to support K-12 education, including public, parochial, and private schools
The high cost and underfunding of special education in Massachusetts public schools
Political tensions around opting into federal support and the reluctance of state leaders
How advocacy groups and parents are pushing for reform and increased accountability from administrators and unions
The urgency of acting before the end-of-year deadline to ensure Massachusetts reaps the available benefits



Connect with Renee Minogue:
Michael and Renée Minogue Foundation
Mike Minogue for Governor

Resources Mentioned:
Mass Potential (Education advocacy nonprofit)
Recent Boston Globe editorial urging state action on the scholarship tax credit program

 

 

Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa

 

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts

 

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you’ve ever considered running for office, or know a woman who should, head over to politicalcontessa.com to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you’re ready to enter the political arena.

&nbsp;
In this week&rsquo;s episode, Jennifer sits down with Renee Minogue, a dedicated education advocate, Fulbright Scholar, experienced homeschool mom of five, and community leader. Renee is not only the wife of gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue but also an accomplished educator who has helped students, including her own children, achieve academic excellence at prestigious institutions like Notre Dame. As a teacher, parent, and community organizer, Renee brings firsthand knowledge of education systems and an insider perspective to the urgent issues facing Massachusetts schools. 
Jennifer and Renee dive deep into Massachusetts's persistent achievement gap, highlighting troubling public-school performance, especially in gateway cities. They explore the highly debated federal scholarship tax credit program, discussing its potential to transform education for special needs and underprivileged students without draining public school funding. The conversation takes a political turn as they challenge the Massachusetts Teachers Association and state leadership for putting power and politics above students' needs. Renee shares heartfelt campaign-trail stories about the real impact of educational inequity, and Jennifer and Renee both advocate putting resources directly into parents&rsquo; and students&rsquo; hands. They call out state leaders' hypocrisy and urge action before the clock runs out on this historic opportunity. 
&ldquo;I just hope that we're able to reach all the voters in Massachusetts and deliver that message that we're not in this for us; we're in it for them.&rdquo; ~Renee Minogue 
This week on Political Contessa:
<ul>
<li>Massachusetts&rsquo; deep achievement gap and what it means for students in struggling districts</li>
<li>Shocking proficiency rates on the state MCAS, with English and math proficiency around 40 percent</li>
<li>The promise and controversy of the federal scholarship tax credit program</li>
<li>How the tax credit could bring up to $2 billion annually to support K-12 education, including public, parochial, and private schools</li>
<li>The high cost and underfunding of special education in Massachusetts public schools</li>
<li>Political tensions around opting into federal support and the reluctance of state leaders</li>
<li>How advocacy groups and parents are pushing for reform and increased accountability from administrators and unions</li>
<li>The urgency of acting before the end-of-year deadline to ensure Massachusetts reaps the available benefits </li>
</ul>
Connect with Renee Minogue:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mrm-foundation.com/">Michael and Ren&eacute;e Minogue Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://minogueforma.com/">Mike Minogue for Governor</a></li>
</ul>
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.masspotential.org/">Mass Potential</a> (Education advocacy nonprofit)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/10/13/opinion/healey-federal-education-tax-credit-trump-school/">Recent Boston Globe editorial urging state action on the scholarship tax credit program</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa
&nbsp;
Thanks for tuning into this week&rsquo;s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6ImzVp6n3MBUcMBP8jsZhu">Spotify</a> I <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=656529">Stitcher</a> I <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-contessa/id1588917810">Apple Podcasts</a> I <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-political-contessa-87658237/">iHeart Radio</a> I <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Political-Contessa-p1531739/">TuneIn</a> I <a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvZGFlMDZlNGItMGQ0YS00YmZjLTljZGEtYWRhMjAwZmFjMjNlL2Y5ODQwODQzLWIyNjUtNDI0Mi05MWFiLWFkYWYwMGFlODZmOC9jYzc1YWM1MS1hZGU1LTQwYmEtYmY5My1hZGFmMDBiMmM5NjMvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M%3d">Google Podcasts</a>
&nbsp;
Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you&rsquo;ve ever considered running for office, or know a woman who should, head over to <a href="http://politicalcontessa.com/">politicalcontessa.com</a> to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you&rsquo;re ready to enter the political arena.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.  My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.  I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.  Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Political Contessa

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.

Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

I’m Jennifer. I’m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.
Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
I&rsquo;m Jennifer. I&rsquo;m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I&rsquo;m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I&rsquo;m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>