Councilmember Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez
Legislation

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Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones Sánchez is currently serving her fourth four-year term representing eastern North Philadelphia’s 7th Council District. She made history in November 2007 when she rallied grassroots support becoming the first Latina elected to City Council, and quickly became a rising star for her hard work and commitment to government reform.  

Maria serves as chair of Council’s Committee on Appropriations and Committee on Education. She co-chairs Council’s Special Committee on Poverty Reduction and Prevention, and in 2021 was appointed to the Philadelphia Tax Reform Working Group. 

Her legislative accomplishments include the “Freshman 15” good government reforms, the creation of the Philadelphia Land Bank, tax foreclosure reform, AVI assistance for vulnerable homeowners, a Longtime Owner-Occupant Program (LOOP), a property tax deferral program, landmark water affordability legislation, and securing $100 million in new funding for affordable housing as part of her progressive agenda to “Keep People in their Homes.” 

A champion for Philadelphia’s small businesses and manufacturers, Maria authored historic business tax reform drastically reducing the tax burden on small businesses and helping local manufacturing compete globally. She also expanded tax benefits for benefit corporations, which contribute to their communities and create family-sustaining jobs. 

Representing Kensington, one of neighborhoods hardest hit by the opioid crisis, Maria has led the charge for behavioral health reforms, opening and expanding access to treatment, and investing in improved public safety and quality of life for long-term residents. 

Her success advancing a bold, progressive agenda have been widely recognized. In 2020, she was listed as #5 on PhillyMag’s list of 76 Most Influential Philadelphians. Maria has also been recognized as one of the City’s future women leaders to watch by the Philadelphia Daily News and one of Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Power 100.”