"We are hard at work at this moment putting together a budget that will help New York to thrive," Paterson said during a news conference Thursday.

Paterson, now the state's lieutenant governor, will takeover gubernatorial duties Monday, when Gov. Eliot Spitzer's resignation is effective. Spitzer resigned Wednesday following the revelation of his alleged association with a high-priced prostitution ring.

Paterson, who will be the state's first African-American governor, said he committed to Spitzer that he would be prepared "in the event I had to assume authority."

He said he has been meeting with legislative and Cabinet leaders, working so "we will all commit ourselves in a bipartisan way to building a relationship that will restore the public trust."

Recognizing that the past few days have been "very sad," Paterson said Spitzer, his wife, children and parents were in his prayers.

But "it's time to get back to the business at state," he said, pledging to commit to "stability and continuity (to met) those challenges that lie ahead."