The Issues

Committed to building a better future for Greater Holland.

I believe in the shared values that have made West Michigan successful: hard work, integrity, and innovation.  We work together to problem-solve and invent solutions.  We realize we are not just here for ourselves.  We care about everyone in our community. Our success is a responsibility to make a difference in others’ lives here and around the world.  It is important that the government works to support and enhance these principles.

I have a proven track record of accomplishment in Holland and Lansing by working with many people, finding points of agreement, and emphasizing the shared vision of maximizing livability for the city and surrounding townships. By representing District 86, I have been honored to utilize those same skills at the state level, promoting legislation that grows the good for all residents in the greater Holland area.

I am grounded in conservative values because I believe they provide a firm foundation for all people to unite and create safe neighborhoods, the best schools, and equal opportunities for everyone to pursue their dreams.

Caring, Conservative, Connected

2026 Goals/Accomplishments
  • Childcare expansion
  • Additional affordable housing legislation
  • Education Reforms passed by my committee and signed into law
    • Improve literacy by using the science of reading method (phonics). This will be taught to pre-service teachers in college and current teachers trained on this in the classrooms state-wide.
    • Restrictions on phones with social media apps in K-12 schools
    • Expanding Career Technical Education opportunities so there are many more skilled trade options for students who choose not to attend college.
    • Passing my Epinephrine access package in the Senate (it received a 100% vote approval in the House)
    • Ensuring special education students access to behavior therapy (ABA)
Conservative Principles of Government

Nancy has proven that she carefully weighs decisions in light of what is best for the community long term. Even the ancient Iroquois philosophy stated that decisions made today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future.

Within a framework of solid conservative values, we can still be magnificently creative. That is always Nancy’s goal. When we come together with hard work, integrity, and innovation, we can inspire a fresh future.

Nancy is the Assistant Director for both She Leads Michigan and She Leads America organizations which connect women throughout Michigan and the United States. SLM and SLA provide opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with women from a variety of racial and cultural backgrounds. Their goal is to bring faith-based solutions to modern-day problems.

Nancy is committed to honoring others and their voice in the discussion. Whether people initially agree or not, truth will rise out of the discussion. It is with a listening ear and a strong moral compass that good navigation takes place.

Affordability

Michigan families are working hard, but it feels like everyday expenses keep climbing. From higher energy bills and housing costs to rising taxes, fees, and health care expenses, too many people are being asked to pay more while getting less in return.

Nancy DeBoer is supporting Michigan families, advancing solutions that put more money back in people’s pockets, lower costs, cut government waste, and make Michigan a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Rep. DeBoer is following through on her commitment to lower costs and help Michigan families keep more of their hard-earned money by helping people keep more of what they earn by:

  • Protecting the wages of tipped workers and preserving thousands of jobs in the service industry (SB 8, PA 1 of 2025)
  • Fixing Michigan’s paid sick leave policies to protect jobs and provide flexibility for workers and small businesses (HB 4002, PA 2 of 2025)
  • Eliminating state taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, so people keep more of their hard-earned paychecks (HB 4961, PA 24 of 2025). No taxes on tips saves 300,000 Michigan workers about $400 a year; no taxes on overtime saves 500,000 workers $500 a year; and no taxes on Social Security saves 40,000 seniors $500 a year.
  • Approving a plan to reverse the Democrat tax hike, which raised the individual income tax rate from 4.05% to 4.25% in 2024 (HB 4170)
  • Streamlining occupational licensing and permitting processes, cutting fees and making it easier for hardworking people to get good-paying jobs (Regulation Rollback Initiative)
  • Securing an investment of nearly $2 billion a year for road repairs, saving families time and money on car repairs and supporting an estimated 22,000 good-paying construction jobs (HBs 4180-4183, SB 578; PAs 16-20)
  • Blocking hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes and fees that have been proposed by the governor and Senate Democrats (FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 budgets)
  • LOWERING ENERGY, UTILITY AND HOUSING COSTS

Protecting the Michigan Home Heating Tax Credit, which saves people money and makes it easier for them to heat their homes (HB 4543, PA 55 of 2025)

  • Requiring state energy regulators to prioritize reliable, cost-effective energy (HB 5710)
  • Stopping the scheme that takes money from our electric bills to fund political activity (HB 5710)
  • Requiring more evidence and greater transparency from utility companies when they seek an increase in our gas and electricity rates (HB 5710)
  • Rolling back extreme energy mandates driving up the cost of electricity (HB 5711)
  • Eliminating the state property tax, lowering utility costs, and eliminating fees and tax hikes that make it harder for people to buy and keep a home (HBs 5872-5879)
  • Paving the way for advancements in nuclear energy that will help lower energy costs while delivering clean, reliable electricity to families and businesses (HBs 4124-4129)
  • Facilitating efforts to move forward with the Line 5 tunnel project and keep the pipeline open, preserving access to reliable energy and keeping costs down (HR 91)
  • Cutting red tape within the state’s permitting processes and making it easier to build homes for working families (HBs 5932-5935)
  • Protecting Michigan families from being priced out of the housing market by preventing large corporations from buying up single-family homes in bulk (HB 6074)
  • Expanding housing options for working families by creating a new housing tax credit that will help finance the construction of approximately 2,500 new housing units each year (HBs 5806-5807; PAs 30-31 of 2026)
  • Offering new tools to families facing tough times to help them avoid foreclosure and stay in the homes they worked so hard for (PA 79 of 2026)
  • Holding energy regulators accountable for higher utility costs by requiring the Michigan Public Service Commission to explain approved rate increases to the Legislature and provide greater transparency when families are asked to pay more for energy (FY 2026-27 budget)
  • HEALTHCARE

LOWERING THE COST OF HEALTHCARE

  • Capping interest rates on medical debt and prohibiting aggressive collection practices such as wage garnishment and home foreclosures tied to medical bills (HBs 5254-5255)
  • Protecting Michigan families from long-term financial harm tied to medical debt by expanding access to hospital financial assistance programs (HBs 6071-6073)
  • Increasing access to reliable healthcare by entering into numerous healthcare licensure compacts that allow more medical professionals to practice in Michigan (HBs 4032, 4101-4104, 4246, 4309, 4380, 4509, 4591, 5455; PA 6 of 2026)

ALSO VOTED TO REDUCE CONSUMER COSTS BY

  • Establishing strong oversight of hospital costs by creating an independent hospital pricing board to review budgets and monitor prices (HB 6116)
  • Requiring hospitals to reduce prices by 10% and setting limits on future price increases (HB 6116)
  • Preventing hospital mergers that would increase costs for patients (HB 6118)
  • Preventing large hospital systems from using non-compete agreements to keep doctors from opening or joining independent practices, helping preserve local clinics and expand care options (HB 6119)
  • Saving Medicaid by making tax reforms that saved billions in federal funding for Medicaid and investing more state resources to make sure the program continues to be available for vulnerable residents who count on it (HBs 4706, 4968, PA 25 of 2025)

STRENGTHENING SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS

  • Continuing to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students in both public and non-public schools, saving families around $1,000 per year, per child (FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 budgets)
  • Expanding access to child care while adding new safeguards to prevent fraud in the child care assistance programs that we have seen in other states (HB 6043, FY 2026-27 budget)
  • Creating a state child tax credit to give parents financial relief and ease the financial burden of starting a family (HB 4055)
  • Exempting infant and toddler items such as diapers, cribs, bottles and more from sales tax and use taxes (HBs 4058-4059)
  • Establishing Child Care Savings Accounts that allow parents to deduct money deposited for childcare costs from their taxable income (HBs 4056-4057)
  • Creating a family caregiver tax credit to ease the growing financial strain on Michigan families caring for a loved one (HB 5214)
  • Advocating for Michigan to opt into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit and give families access to funds they can use to send their child to a new school, pay for private tutoring, or provide other education supports
  • Investing $40 million to broaden dual enrollment opportunities, helping more young people get a head start on college while saving families money on tuition (FY 2026-27 budget)
  • Expanding preschool programs to give families more options for early childhood development and give young children a great start on their lives (FY 2026-27 budget)
Education

West Michigan has been recognized as a great place to raise a family and receive an excellent education. Strong families support strong school systems. As an educator, and from a family of educators, Nancy has first-hand experience in our education system as a high school English teacher. She understands how important parental involvement is for student success. She believes that every child has gifts that should be encouraged.

Special education needs equitable funding from our state and federal governments. In her first term (2023-2024), DeBoer was a member of the House Appropriations Committee and passed bipartisan school safety legislation.

In the 2024-25 State Budget, the K-12 Education Funding unfortunately cut the per pupil funding for mental health and school safety by 92%. She introduced an appropriations supplemental to restore 100% of the funding. Eventually approximately 50% of the funding was restored. Nancy opposed these cuts as well as the $0 per pupil increase to school funding. In the 2025-2026 State budget the grant funding was fully restored. This budget provided record public school funding and more local control over how state funds can be spent to address local student needs.

DeBoer currently serves as Chair of the state House Education and Workforce Committee. She is also working on education reforms to address literacy, declining attendance, and provide more flexibility for local districts to allow students to pursue non-college career paths like the trades and agriculture. She also believes that early interventions in education are critical to helping students and their families to ensure the best possible outcomes for all children.

Protecting Life

Nancy believes that all life should be protected, from the womb to the tomb. She believes each person is created by God. Therefore, each person is intrinsically valuable and must be treated with dignity and respect.

Whatever a woman’s season of life, decisions are complicated. Nancy believes in supporting all women in their choices, whatever they have been. She believes every life, at every stage is precious.

2nd Amendment Support

Nancy supports the 2nd Amendment which guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. She understands the importance of standing up for these rights so citizens can lawfully protect themselves and their property. In fact, she voted in 2014 to allow indoor firearm and archery ranges as a special use in commercial and industrial zones in Holland.

Government Fiscal Responsibility

Nancy voted for the new 2025-26 state budget, which cut money to 2,000 ghost employees and introduced a new process for transparency and oversight for state government grants going forward. The budget finally brought road funding to local municipalities so that the roads can finally be repaired fully funded from gas taxes. K-12 Education also received record funding increases in this budget! The overall budget was reduced for the first time in decades. We must spend within our means.

While serving on the City Council and as Mayor of Holland, she proved to be a wise steward of financial resources through budget cuts, repurposing of property, creative fundraising, consolidation of city building and project management, green technologies that reduced energy costs for city buildings, more efficient snowmelt system, and smart LED lighting while also helping residents with education programs for home savings.

The new natural gas power plant reduced energy costs by 10% in the first three years. In addition, the city sold the extra power it produced to help pay the debt of the new power plant in record time.

Nancy has the ability to think outside the box in order to reduce costs and remain within a budget.

Public Safety

Nancy stands in support of all things Public Safety, including Police and Fire Services. An unsafe community is not healthy for anyone. She believes excellent equipment, vehicles, technology, and protective clothing are all part of effective Public Safety. Honorable compensation and benefits for those who wake up each morning not knowing if they will have to protect a life, take a life, or give their life are important.

Carefully vetting the character of new hires and holistic training for every hire is critical to our officers who are under such extreme pressure in the public eye. They should also be offered support services to handle the emotional toll that they carry because of their work. All of the above require generous funding with reasonable accountability.

While serving on City Council and as Mayor, she fought for the retention of Community Policing, even during the lean years of difficult budget cuts. These positive relationships between officers and residents are priceless, and made our community stronger. Communication is critical for a community to be safe and informed.

I support the continuation of law enforcement programs to keep illegal firearms out of the hands of those on probation and parole. Last year, Nancy supported creation of the Public Safety Trust Fund which dedicates 115 million every year to fight violent crime. This will fund all local police and sheriffs departments, providing additional resources to help keep communities safe.

Great Lakes and Water

Nancy understands that as Michiganders, we have been entrusted with 20% of the world’s freshwater. Therefore, we must be good stewards of the water’s drinkability, beauty, accessibility, and recreation/transportation/tourism opportunities.

I support programs that curtail invasive species and provide other protections of our Great Lakes and watersheds such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiate. Clean drinking and ground water are also vitally important. We must present contamination when possible and ensure environmental cleanup when necessary.

We must support programs that curtail invasive species and provide other protections of our Great Lakes, such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. We need to fund education that helps us face our collective responsibility to protect our greatest natural resource for generations to come.

Air Quality

The federal EPA has been cracking down on the Holland area because of bad air quality since 2018. Air quality has not been improving because the polluted air isn’t local; it’s smog blowing in from Chicago. I’m fighting to make the EPA address the actual polluters.  Our residents deserve clean air, and our businesses shouldn’t be held accountable for pollution caused by upwind states.

Energy

Electricity needs to be affordable and reliable for customers. I voted to repeal new government mandates that will likely close Michigan’s natural gas power plants by 2040 or earlier–including Holland’s plant!  Government mandates forcing massive solar and wind construction are expensive and require lots of new electric transmission infrastructure.  These costs will be passed on to electric customers and increase inflation.

Business
Creativity starts here. Holland has long been an incubator for fresh ideas and inventive prowess. When creativity meets hard work, great things happen! The stability of business, even generational business, in the Holland area is a testament to our integrity. Business in the Holland area is intended to make life better for employees and their families while also supporting the greater good. It is a rare combination that has drawn respect from sources like Wallet Hub, repeatedly designating Holland as the best place to start a business.

It is important for us to keep growing the hard-working culture in our area, never taking success for granted, and continually inspiring the next generation to have a seat at the table with their valuable ideas and dedication to a better world. Work with the MEDC and local small business incubators to increase opportunities for new businesses from ideation to production in a global society.

It is important to have a framework where Holland receives its fair share of state funding and the funds do not all go to the big cities in the state.

Housing

In Lansing, Nancy supported state aid and policy changes to make housing more available and affordable for middle class and low income community members.
Last term, Rep. DeBoer also crossed party lines to ensure the passage of housing affordability legislation creating the state’s new Missing Middle housing program and legislation raising MSHDA’s home sales price limits which had not been updated since 2009. It is important that MSHDA program funds are able to be used in the Greater Holland area. Not all of the funding should be directed solely to large urban areas, like Detroit. This term Rep. DeBoer is supporting additional affordable housing legislation.

While Mayor, Nancy voted to add over 2,000 housing units at all levels of affordability. She has continued to support increased housing and its afforability at the state level. The Holland area is one of the fastest-growing in the state. Job opportunities abound. Therefore, more housing at various price points is needed. Most municipalities and townships have seen that need and have stepped up. Thousands of housing units of all types have been approved by their governing boards. Nancy believes the regulation of vacation homes should be a decision for local governmental units closest to the issue.

Nancy received the Legislator of the Year award from Habitat for Humanity for her work on affordable housing.

Local Control
Nancy opposes taking planning and zoning authority away from local governments and residents when it comes to determining where gravel mines, wind turbine farms, large solar farms and battery storage facilities are located. Locals should be in charge of these decisions, not unelected bureaucrats in Lansing or Detroit who may have never even been to our area.
Childcare
Our state struggles with childcare availability and cost. This year I am sponsoring legislation to encourage more childcare providers to enter the market and existing providers to expand. The legislation would preserve child safety regulations. More childcare capacity is vitally important to parents being able to work and will strengthen Michigan’s economy.
Election 2024

I am honored to represent the Greater Holland area for District 86, covering Laketown Township, Holland Charter Township, Park Township, and the City of Holland. I believe that any time one serves at a level of government, it is important to stay in one’s lane, at one’s entrusted level. Commenting about issues I am not personally privy to seems premature and presumptuous of me.

I believe Elections should be on a continuous improvement track. This seems reasonable because elections are critical to our system of government. I strongly believe we should have to identify ourselves with legal proof of identity to vote. Ballot Harvesting should be illegal, and sending unsolicited absentee ballots should also be illegal. I also believe that local clerks should be able to take deceased voters off the rolls in their locality.