The Sacramento City Council voted Tuesday night to place economic sanctions against Arizona companies in response to that state's immigration laws.
The sanctions passed by a 6-1 council vote are on par with the broadest actions passed by other California cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland.
They include forbidding city workers from attending conferences in Arizona on the city's dime, boycotting companies based in Arizona "where practicable and where there is no significant additional cost to the city" and potentially canceling current contracts with firms from Arizona.
"For those who would criticize us for using our time to address this critical issue in our country's history, I would say this: How can we not?" said Councilman Rob Fong, who called for the debate.
Fong added, "I've never been more proud of us" and said the city was "standing on the right side of history."
Councilman Robbie Waters voted against the boycott, arguing, "We should be taking care of our business here at home first." He asked for a report on how many city staff hours have been spent to look at the city's contracts.
Council members Lauren Hammond and Steve Cohn were absent for the discussion. Cohn had indicated he did not support the boycott but left the council meeting as the immigration debate began Tuesday, returning moments after the vote was taken.
Opponents of the boycott said the City Council should not have weighed in on the actions of another state and urged the council to concentrate on other issues, including the city budget.
But supporters of the boycott far outnumbered opponents at the council meeting, with many describing the discussion as a civil rights issue.
"This is about Sacramento. This is about every state in our nation," said Melinda Guzman, a local attorney. "This is not just about Arizona."
Critics charge the law will lead to racial profiling, while those who support it say it will be an essential crime-fighting tool against violent drug cartels from Mexico.
Under the law, which takes effect next month, local police in Arizona will be required to check for immigration status when they suspect those they stop, detain or arrest are in the country illegally.
In Sacramento – and other California cities – police officers do not ask for immigration status during traffic stops, while investigating minor infractions or when someone is a witness or victim of a crime.
The boycott's impact could be significant and immediate.
Sundt Construction, based in Phoenix, is listed as a construction partner for a proposal being considered by city officials to revamp the most blighted blocks of K Street downtown. Under that proposal led by Rubicon Partners, a new permanent farmers market, museum and music venue would be built.
Sundt also currently has a $1.1 million contract with the city to build a new water pipeline in south Sacramento. It was also the lead firm on the $11 million Valley Hi/North Laguna Library.
The company has had an office in the city of Sacramento for 30 years and employs 65 people here. It opposes the Arizona immigration law.
"We really don't think a state or city should boycott another state," said Cody Pearson, a company senior vice president and the division manager for the Sacramento branch. "The people out of this office will not have work, they won't pay taxes and it really hurts California. It does nothing to Arizona."
The Police Department also purchases its controlled energy devices – also known as Tasers – from Taser International, based in Scottsdale.
City staffers are going over hundreds of contracts to determine if the city does business with other Arizona companies. It's a time-intensive practice; some companies have a billing address in Arizona but are based elsewhere, while other firms collect their bills in other states but are headquartered in Arizona.