"Given the fiscal and governmental crisis enveloping our state, we at Common Cause/New York have come to the reluctant conclusion that it would be in the best interest of the people of the State of New York for Governor Paterson to step aside as governor," said Executive Director Susan Lerner, in a statement.

"As events have unfolded over the last several weeks, the allegations of abuse of power and criminal conduct by the governor have become the sole focus in Albany, at a time when the undivided attention and full creativity of the state's leaders must be devoted to addressing the state's very grave fiscal crisis."

Common Cause says he should take the "pragmatic, self-sacrificing action" of handing the reins to Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch.