ALBANY - Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who is legally blind, will be sworn in today as New York state's 55th governor.

Just a week after the world learned of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's involvement in a prostitution ring, Paterson will become the state's first black governor and the nation's first legally blind chief executive to serve more than a few days.

It's not exactly take two of Spitzer's promised “Day One,” but for many New Yorkers it will be a welcome fresh start after a week of having details of Spitzer's sordid activities seep gradually into the open.

Spitzer in his 2006 campaign had promised New York that everything would change from his first day in office. That ended last week when he announced he would resign after he was accused of spending tens of thousands of dollars on prostitutes - including a tryst with a 22-year-old call girl in Washington the night before Valentine's Day.

On Sunday, Paterson was catching up on budget details and preparing - and memorizing - his inauguration speech.

Spitzer is scheduled to officially resign at noon today, and Paterson will officially take over an hour later before a joint session of the Legislature in the Assembly chamber. He spent much of last week meeting with Democrat and Republican leaders in preparation for his unexpected transition.

The new governor was Spitzer's lieutenant for just 14 months. Paterson has been a Democratic state senator since 1985, representing parts of Harlem and Manhattan's Upper West Side.

He graduated from Columbia University and Hofstra School of Law.

“It's very daunting” Paterson said Friday.

“I definitely feel anxiety ... but in the end, we have a job to do. And we're here to do that job.”

Federal prosecutors must still decide whether to pursue charges against Spitzer.