June 16, 2026
Watch Assemblyman Phil Palmesano’s floor comments on the rural suicide council bill, thanking Steuben County Legislator Joe Tobia and his wife Elisa for all they have done, as the Assembly GOP was passing the bill. “Tragically, the Tobias lost their son Matt to suicide. They shared their story on how he asked for help and could not recieve it. It’s really about how our state failed him. The Tobias took that tragedy and helped other families so that other people don’t have to go through the same thing,” Palmesano said. “This council will create a comprehensive plan to make the neccesary changes, because we know that the rate of suicide is higher in the smaller towns, than it is our more metropolitan areas,” Palmesano explained.
