Starting Tuesday at 6 p.m., stream VTDigger’s forum on access to public records.

At our next Fast Forward event, “Why isn’t the state an open book?” a panel of journalists, government officials and experts will debate a new Vermont Supreme Court ruling that reaffirmed the public has a right to “inspect” documents for free and can only be charged when a “copy” is requested.

Featured speaker Peter Teachout of Vermont Law School will give an update on Vermont’s current public records and exemptions.

Panelists include Rebecca Kelley, communications director, Office of Governor Phil Scott; Jim Condos, VT Office of the Secretary of State; Charity Clark, chief of staff, Office of Vermont Attorney General; and Jay Diaz, an attorney with the ACLU of Vermont.

Sen. Jeanette White (Windham) and Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas (Orange) will give a legislative update.

Thanks to our co-sponsors: