Protect Marriage group asked to report full names
THE NEWS TRIBUNE
The latest C-3 report from Protect Marriage Washington must have assumed that the group would prevail in its request that it not be required to disclose names of donors.
The report, filed Aug. 10, which shows donors to the campaign for the previous week listed only initials of those who gave money. That’s not what state law requires and the Public Disclosure Commission staff has contacted the committee.
“We’ve asked them to report the actual names,” said PDC spokeswoman Lori Anderson.
Last week an attorney representing supporters of R-71, which seeks to repeal enhancements of gay partnership laws passed this year, asked the PDC to exempt disclosure of donors. He asserted there have been threats of violence and harassment against donors (R-71 has already succeeded in sealing the names of those who signed petitions).
The PDC, however, rejected a request for an emergency meeting and scheduled the matter for its regular Aug. 27 meeting. In the meantime, current law prevails which requires the disclosure of donors names and towns.
Signatures on the referendum are still being verified by the secretary of state.
Peter Callaghan, The News Tribune
