DeVore resigns post as chief Republican whip

Worried that passage of a California budget including a proposed $14 billion in new taxes might “demoralize the [Republican] base,” Assemblyman Chuck DeVore resigned his post as chief Republican whip over the weekend.

As whip, DeVore was in part responsible for corralling assembly Republicans together and making sure they were all on the same page when it came to voting on key issues. He doesn’t want to have that leadership role, though, if some Assembly Republicans are going to vote for the tax increase because he may risk being associated with it.

“I’m very fearful of the highly negative political consequences that may result from this,” DeVore said.

A budget deal worked out by both parties last week proposes to close the projected $42-billion budget gap through the middle of next year with almost equal parts spending cuts, tax increases and borrowing.

DeVore tendered his resignation in a letter to House Republican leader Mike Villines, writing “the recent agreement you negotiated to increase taxes in exchange for a spending limit will not likely accomplish the twin aims of deficit reduction and budget control that you seek.”

— Alan Blank