Oregon Public Broadcasting

People from around the Pacific Northwest are reacting Thursday to a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.

In an 8-to-1 decision, Justices say the names of people who signed a petition to overturn a gay rights law in Washington state, must be made public.

A conservative group had tried to block release of the names for fear of retribution.

Oregon's Secretary of State, Kate Brown, welcomed the Supreme Court's decision saying all citizens suffer when governments operate in secret.

She's also not worried that groups may now routinely put the names of people who sign petitions on line.

Kate Brown: "Certainly there is that potential. It has not happened so far in Oregon. But I was really clear, when we discussed this issue during the last session. That if there is any harassment, we will pass legislation to prohibit that."

Brown disagrees with Justice Clarence Thomas, the sole voice of dissented in the court's opinion. He says publishing names chills citizen participation in the referendum process.