“Shock,” “disappointment” and “dismay” were just some of the words state lawmakers used Tuesday when describing their reactions to the scandal surrounding Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

With Albany reeling from recent allegations connecting Spitzer to a prostitution ring, members of the state Assembly and Senate spent the day in uncertainty over his future.

Legislators from Central New York joined the chorus of voices that were calling for his resignation and began to prepare for transition within the office.

If the uncertainty had continued, some state representatives were foreseeing possible setbacks in Albany's ability to get on with the state's business.

Assemblyman Gary Finch, who was “stunned” and “saddened” when he heard the allegations, said Tuesday that it would be in the best interest of the state for Spitzer to resign quickly. The state budget's April 1 deadline is approaching, and a delay in action will cause the process to get bogged down, he said.

“If things are resolved in a short period of time, I think we would still have the ability to get a budget together (in time),” Finch said. “If this lingers into two weeks before he makes a decision, I see this budget process going into a long period of time where nothing gets done.”

Assemblyman Robert Oaks also called for the governor's resignation. Spitzer's ability to focus and lead is compromised, Oaks said, and the state government needs to move forward quickly to focus on the coming budget proceedings.

“To tell if there will be a delay, or to say what is going to transpire here - there is a lot of uncertainty right now,” Oaks said.

If Spitzer resigns, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson is in line to replace him. The former Senate minority leader would bring plenty of legislative experience to the office. State representatives are expressing guarded optimism with Paterson leading the state in the wake of a scandal.

Finch described him as bright, articulate and an involved lieutenant governor. Paterson's ability to bring Democrats and Republicans together will play a role in whether a transition would be smooth.

“From what I understand, he has already contacted members of the Republican side of the aisle,” Finch said.

Assemblyman Brian Kolb said Paterson will have to “hit the ground running” if he becomes governor.

“I think there will be a honeymoon period for (Paterson),” Kolb said. “He knows how the Legislature works, and he has established relationships. ... But there is a lot to grapple with.”

One of those challenges will involve trying to pass a budget with a number of its proposals unique to Spitzer, according to Oaks. It will be interesting to see which of those proposals will be adopted, he said.

“I think it would be difficult for a strong legislative agenda of change to go through beyond April and into the end of the legislative session in June,” Oaks said.

But in a “strange way,” the events of the past couple days could help move the process along, he said.

“This may put us in a position where everyone is wanting to focus on getting the budget done and moving on beyond this crisis,” Oaks said.

State Senator David Valesky, who said he believes it is “only a matter of time” before Spitzer resigns, expressed confidence that the scandal will not affect the budget schedule. The process is moving along as it should, and both Republicans and Democrats are anxious to address pressing statewide issues such as property taxes, health care and school funding, Valesky said.

“That process continues no matter who is governor of the state,” he said. “There is no reason for these events to stand in the way.”

But budget or no budget, Albany will continue to feel the effects of watching a vocal governor, who preached reform and crusaded against corruption, get swept up in scandal.

“To some extent, I think the governor's actions, if true, diminish every one of us who serve in the government,” Finch said. “I don't sense that there is any feeling of gleefulness at all over this with anyone I have talked to, Democrats or Republicans. It is almost like a pall that has been laid over the city of Albany right now.”

How long will those effects linger? According Valesky, that is a difficult question to answer.

“There is no precedent that we can look at to determine that,” Valesky said. “I think, ultimately, only time can really tell.”

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.