City council member Sally Clark, sponsor of legislation last year boycotting Arizona, tells PubliCola the city may consider giving a contract for ambulance services to Arizona-based Rural/Metro this year. The city, like many others around the country, adopted legislation saying it would avoid contracting with companies based in Arizona after that state passed a law requiring immigrants to carry immigration papers with them at all times.

Specifically, the legislation says:

Section 1. Unless and until Arizona rescinds or significantly amends Arizona SB1070, City Departments should to the extent practicable, and in instances where there is no conflict with law or prior contractual agreements, (1) refrain from entering into any new or amended contracts to purchase goods or services from any company that is headquartered in Arizona, and (2) avoid sending City officials or employees to conferences or events in Arizona.

It's that "when practicable," Clark says, that gives the council an out. "This is where we look like wormy, squiggly people," Clark says. "The intent [to boycott Arizona companies] is there, but the city would have the opportunity to make the case" that Rural/Metro should be an exception if the company has a better bid than the current EMS provider, Colorado-based American Medical Response. "We have a primary responsibility to find the best deal for the citizens of Seattle," Clark says.

The city of Tacoma, which contracts with Rural/Metro, dropped plans to boycott Arizona last year.