State Representative Leslie Osborn is the new chair of the powerful House Appropriations and Budget Committee, an influential position that gives her bills extra weight. StateImpact talked to Osborn about legislation she’s pushing to increase mining fees, and to explore the sale of the Grand River Dam Authority.

Oil prices are on the rebound, which should eventually generate revenue and help Oklahoma’s state budget situation. Still, another budget hole — that could be as large as $600 million — will likely have to be filled during the 2017 legislative session.

The GRDA doesn’t rely on state-appropriated funds, so in theory, the effort to preserve the rivers’ natural beauty can continue without the threat of future budget cuts from the state legislature.

Just east of Chouteau, in Mayes County, there’s a massive coal-fired power plant. And just east of that is the Grand River.

The relationship between the Grand River Dam Authority and Gov. Mary Fallin went through a rough summer.

StateImpact reported that Gov. Mary Fallin’s administration was trying to stop a scheduled vote on the plans at Wednesday’s GRDA board meeting.