Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb today said he was disappointed that Assemblyman Steve Katz didn’t contact him after he was found by State Police last week to be in possession of a small bag of marijuana.

Kolb said last week he was unaware that Katz, a Mohegan Lake Republican, hadn’t told him of the traffic stop and the appearance ticket after he was found with the marijuana. Despite the incident on Thursday, Katz continued to Albany and appeared on the Assembly floor for the legislative session.

Katz in a prepared statement said he the truth would come out about what occurred and gave no intention of stepping down.

Speaking to reporters after a news conference pushing for an end to the 18a assessment surcharge, Kolb said he had spoken to Katz to reconicle what happened.

“I was certainly disappointed not to hear from instead of reading about in the press,” Kolb said. “I would always encourage our members to share good news and bad news just so I’m prepared to handle questions from the media. Like I said, I talked to Mr. Katz and I think we’re on the same page.”

Kolb wouldn’t say whether he would strip Katz of his committee assignments, saying he wanted to learn the facts himself of the case. He insisted that the conversation with the Republican lawmaker would remain between them.

“Until we get the facts exactly as the court views it,” Kolb said. “Whether it’s, as you know, small possessions of marijuana are not considered a felony or even a misdemeanor. So until the court weighs in on what they thought was involved with the stop and with the process – that’s why I really don’t try to comment on anybody until they’ve been allowed to have their own legal representation.”

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