A coalition of 51 progressive and criminal justice groups on Friday will send Gov. Andrew Cuomo and top lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly a letter urging them to not alter the state's bail law. 

At the same time, they want the state to consider tax increases for the wealthy in order to better fund schools and health care in the budget.  

"The undersigned groups write with a simple message, we are united in our opposition to rollbacks of the bail and discovery laws, and in our demand for progressive tax policies to address the myriad of challenges facing our state," the letter states. 

The state budget is due to pass by March 31. 

The letter comes as lawmakers are considering potential changes to the bail law, which ends cash bail requirements for misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges. 

Senate Democrats have proposed abolishing bail entirely, but providing greather authority to judges to determine if a person should remain in jail pending trial. 

For now, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has not backed the proposal. 

Opponents of the current law say it has made the state more dangerous; supporters say the issue has been fear mongered by law enforcement and Republicans.