[3] In 1972, Katz was involved in an incident at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., which received wide media coverage after he rescued a man who was nearly strangled to death by a 23 foot long reticulated python which had escaped from its cage.

[6][7] Katz then was the assistant director of the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve in Israel, and also lived in Italy for two years where he learned to speak fluent Italian.

[25][26] Katz staked out conservative positions on cutting taxes and spending, a balanced budget, and anti-illegal immigration issues, including calling for English to be made the official language of the state of New York.

[27][28][29][30] Yet he also attempted to establish pro-conservation bona fides by backing a moratorium on the controversial proposed hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale region of New York, a process also known as "hydro-fracking.

The following month, as part of a plea deal, the marijuana charge was dismissed in exchange for Katz's payment of $75 fine and performance of 20 hours of community service.