With Gov. Eliot Spitzer allegedly being referred to as Client No. 9 in affidavits that are part of a federal investigation of a prostitution ring, the political landscape of New York has been shattered. Spitzer in his one minute and four second statement Monday, with his wife, Silda, by his side, gave no indication that he would resign. In the end it is likely.

For all intents and purposes, Spitzer, who was known, prior to coming to the Governor's Mansion, as “The Crusader” against Wall Street and others (including a prostitution ring in 2004) as attorney general, cannot survive this personal and political disaster. The last year has been a rocky one for Spitzer, who went from a remarkable landslide victory in November 2006 to a free fall in his poll numbers.

While he may contend that the prostitution bombshell is a private matter, it is not. While there were many unconfirmed media reports Monday that he would be resigning, his focus is now, not on the state, but likely his family and possibly any criminal prosecution he may face.

What does this all mean for New York if he does step down?

The state will get a new governor with the ascension of Lt. Gov. David Paterson, the former Senate minority leader, who will be the state's first black governor and second with a major disability (he is legally blind - Franklin D. Roosevelt had polio). He will be faced with picking up the pieces of an executive branch and Democratic Party that, believing that it had a leader who would likely be re-elected in 2010, will have imploded.

Both Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno will control the results of the budget that is due in 19 days. Don't be surprised if the state doesn't make the April 1 budget deadline, making it tougher for school districts to estimate state aid as they get ready for local school budget votes in May.

Also expect Spitzer's “Billion Dollar Fund For Upstate” to not pass as currently envisioned (whether Spitzer stays or not). While an economically distressed upstate may get some new funding, it has lost its chief champion, who was already in an uphill battle to create new funding in a state facing a $4.4 billion deficit.

Politically, it is also unlikely that this is good news for Democrats who wanted to pick up the state Senate, being one seat away from a tie and two away from control.

In the end, expect that Spitzer will no longer be governor and the political landscape of New York will have changed dramatically.

Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com