Senator Helming Statement on Governor’s Veto of Rural Suicide Prevention Council Bill (S3587A)

Our Rural Suicide Prevention Council bill passed the Senate and Assembly with unanimous bipartisan support. The Governor’s veto of this bill is extremely disappointing. It was vetoed along with other council and task force-related bills.

This council was a means to cut through government bureaucracy and get to meaningful and potentially life-saving solutions faster, engaging citizen experts in the process. It also gives much-needed focus to rural communities and it’s unfortunate the Governor did not act on that.

The suicide rate in rural areas of New York is double that of urban areas and is increasing at a significantly greater rate.

I will continue conversations with my colleagues in the Legislature to address this sobering data and the real-life impact to families affected by suicide.

Thank you to my many constituents and all New Yorkers who signed letters to the Governor or called her office to urge her support of this bill.

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