Rumors & Rumblings

“Rumors and Rumblings” is a weekly feature that runs each Wednesday. It includes short nuggets of information that we glean from conversations throughout the week. Have a tip? Send it here. All sources remain confidential.

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1. Rumor has it that former Lt. Gov. turned lobbyist Steve Windom has hired former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb. Windom, who maintains close ties to both GOP Leadership and many Democrats in the legislature and throughout state government, has remained mostly low key since the 2010 election. The purported hiring of Cobb, would be evidence that this powerbroker continues to masterfully play both sides.

2. The House Republican Caucus raised another $100k at a Montgomery fundraiser Monday night. Kate Anderson, LLC. was once again running the event which was widely attended.

3. The House Republican caucus met over the weekend and there was a great consensus around a proposed 2013 legislative agenda. Speaker Hubbard, Majority Leader Hammon and the platform committee put together a final product that the caucus appears to be very excited about. “There’s going to be a lot of great, conservative legislation this next session,” one House member told Yellowhammer. Another House member who also served on the Speaker’s Commission on Alabama Values & States’ Rights said that several bills recommended by the Commission are included in the agenda.

4. Rep. Jeremy Oden now appears to be a lock for an appointment to the Public Service Commission if Twinkle Cavanaugh wins the PSC President race and her current PSC seat is left vacant. Yellowhammer reported way back in July that Oden was a favorite for the job, but there was a brief period of time where there was some uncertainty. That all appears to be a thing of the past now as insiders say Gov. Bentley is firmly locked-in on appointing Oden.

[Note: I’ll be on the road most of the morning and afternoon, so I apologize if comments aren’t approved in a timely fashion.]