Ethics panel opposes effort to shield identities of Proposition 8 backers

In the latest skirmish over Proposition 8, the ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage in California, the state's ethics agency has filed papers in federal court challenging an attempt to change state campaign finance disclosure laws.

Supporters of Proposition 8 "are out to destroy campaign finance disclosure by a death of a thousand cuts. I don't intend to let that happen," said Ross Johnson, chairman of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Proposition 8 supporters filed a lawsuit earlier this month seeking to throw out a state law that requires the names and personal information of contributors to political campaigns be made public. Supporters contend that they have been terrorized by opponents of the measure because of their campaign contributions. Some people said they had received death threats and that their homes had been vandalized.

Proposition 8 was the most contentious matter on the state ballot, and the outcome of the November vote, far from settling the matter, only inflamed tensions. In the days after the passage of the measure, gay rights activists have published the names of donors and targeted some for boycotts.

But the ethics commission, in a filing Thursday, said that hiding the names of political donors is not the answer. The next filing date for contributions made to the campaign is Feb. 2.

-- Jessica Garrison and Patrick McGreevy

Photo credit: Los Angeles Times