“It’s unfortunate, but it’s just not going to work this way,” she said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

Skelos, the top Republican in state government, and his 32-year-old son Adam were charged with extortion and soliciting bribes.

A complaint has been filed in federal court, but Skelos had not been indicted as of Wednesday afternoon.

Little said it seems impossible Skelos would be able to negotiate legislation when he is facing criminal charges.

“There’s just too much at risk. We have a lot to do this year,” she said.

Sen. Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon, did not return a Post-Star request for comment about the Skelos situation on Monday, and, as of late Wednesday afternoon, had not returned a second request left with her staff on Wednesday.

State Assemblyman Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, said Monday that Skelos should resign from his leadership post.

Little said the Senate Republican Conference met Monday evening and a majority agreed, without a formal vote, with Skelos’ request to continue as leader, at least through the end of session, but it is now clear that is not practical.

“I will tell you that even though yesterday went really well, today reminded me of some of the dysfunction that we had in the past,” she said. “It’s becoming way too much of a distraction, and I don’t think it’s going to work this way.”