In the aftermath of bizarre allegations that Gov. Eliot Spitzer conducted business with a high-priced call-girl ring, Spitzer did the right thing by deciding that he would resign.

The task ahead is for state lawmakers to work cooperatively with the state's next governor, David Paterson, as the business of the state moves forward.

The first ray of hope was revealed Tuesday when Paterson phoned state Assembly Republican leader James Tedisco to inquire about future cooperation.

Tedisco said that the Republicans would.

A former minority leader in the Republican-controlled state Senate, Paterson is no stranger to the workings of politics in Albany.

As for our hopes that the Legislature can become productive under Paterson's leadership, we're told that Paterson is well-respected among his Albany colleagues, and has been called a “friend” of Senate majority leader Joe Bruno, whose public and private spars with Spitzer clearly stood in the way of progress last year.

Paterson, who is legally blind, will become the state's first black governor.

As Spitzer pointed out Monday, politics is not about individuals but “ ... the public good, and doing what is best for the state of New York.”

We agree that the good of the state comes before the individual politician.

So for that reason alone, we're glad Spitzer didn't let this seedy saga drag out any longer than it needed to.

It's a shame that Spitzer's potential to be an engine for change in Albany has come to such an abrupt and embarrassing halt.

Paterson has a difficult task ahead, leading a state government known coast to coast as dysfunctional and with the deadline for passing a state budget less than three weeks away.

With Spitzer gone, the state needs to move on - and we're counting on the leadership of our new governor.