Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie echoed on Tuesday a lot of what supporters of the state's bail law continue to say: The measure, which ends the cash bail requirement for those facing misdemeanor and non-violent felonies, needs to be given a chance. 

But Heastie also criticized the media -- and The New York Post in particular -- for what he said have been sensationalized and false stories blaming the measure for crime.

"When people report their stories, I hope they would report them correctly and fairly and when there are breakdowns in the system they would point those out and not say, 'Oh, my god, it was the bail reform,'" Heastie told reporters. 

The comments come as Gov. Andrew Cuomo has raised the possibility of changes to the law by April 1, the date the state's budget is expected to be in place. 

"The governor gets to say what he wants to say, but we'll see what the data says," Heastie said. "But I can't get driven by these things in the newsapers that have to get fixed, retracted, rescinded and other things."

Meanwhile on Tuesday, Senate Republicans criticized Democrats for both the bail law and the Green Light Law, which allows undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses. Both measures may face amendments in the coming weeks to end political controversies that have been fueled by opponents. 

"These laws are working exactly as they are intended to work," said western New York Sen. Robert Ortt. "They're just running to fix it because New Yorkers are finding it's untenable. This is straight politics and it's the worst kind."

But Democrats -- especially those who are in favor making changes -- could face crosscurrents on the other side of the issue as progressives mount primary candidates against incumbent Democrats. 

"If you're not going to be for the people then the people are going to force you out," said Shawn Young, an activist with Citizen Action. "We're going to run candidates who we believe are line with what's justice and what's right."