Randy Fine

Randy Fine (born April 20, 1974) is an American Republican politician and former gambling industry executive who was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives from the 53rd district in 2016[2] and re-elected in 2018.[3] His district covers southern Brevard County.

Randy Fine
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 53rd district
Assumed office
November 8, 2016
Preceded byJohn Tobia
Personal details
Born (1974-04-20) April 20, 1974
Tucson, Arizona
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceBrevard County, Florida[1]
Alma materHarvard University (AB, MBA)

Background

Fine was born and raised to a Jewish family[4] in Tucson, Arizona[3] and is a graduate of Harvard University.[5][6]

Before entering politics, Fine worked as an executive for casino gambling companies such as Harrah's Entertainment and American Casino & Entertainment Properties.[7] For nearly ten years, he operated a Nevada-based consulting business for the casino industry, called The Fine Point Group.[5][7] In 2009, he was the chief executive of the Greektown Casino in Detroit.[7]

He was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 along with his wife.

In the legislature

In the state legislature, Fine has been an advocate for protecting the environment of the Indian River Lagoon from sewage spills, and for opposing what he sees as wasteful, lower-priority spending.[8] Fine has introduced a bill in the state legislature to provide up to $50 million per year in matching funds to upgrade sewage treatment facilities in the area of the marsh. The legislation also increases the fines for illegal sewage discharges.[2] Despite his crusade against sewage spills, in 2019 he voted for HB 829 [9] which made it illegal for local communities to ban the spreading of biosolids(dried sewage) on farmlands that drain into the St. John’s River and The Indian River Lagoon.[10][11] The practice of spreading dried human feces as fertilizer on farms around the St. John’s River has been linked to toxic algae blooms affecting Melbourne’s drinking water supply.[12][13]

The editorial board of local newspaper Florida Today has criticized Fine's personal style. Their joint editorial observed that "Fine is obviously a hard working lawmaker who has used his watchdog skills to do good" but said that "Fine should defend what he believes in, but not by launching tirades against others as crusades on behalf of his constituents. He can look good without trying to make others look bad with personal attacks."[14]

In 2018 Fine voted for H.B. 631, a controversial bill that gave many beachfront property owners in Florida the right to ‘eject’ people from the beach,[15][16] while at the same time, he owned a beachfront property.[17]

Israel and Palestine

In 2018, Fine demanded that venues in Miami and Tampa cancel scheduled concerts with the New Zealand singer Lorde because she had previously cancelled a concert in Israel after being urged to do so by activists from the BDS movement. According to Fine, letting Lorde play would violate an anti-BDS law that the state enacted in 2016.[18]

In April 2019, Fine called Paul Halpern, a Jewish constituent of his, a "Judenrat" for supporting an event that discussed the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Halpern stated, "That's the worst thing anyone can say to me. I'm someone who’s been a victim of anti-Semitism much of my life, and there’s no worse name you can call a Jewish person than 'Judenrat.' It tells me about the character of the person who said it, especially since he doesn’t know me."[4]

References
  1. Randy Fine at Florida House of Representatives
  2. "Rep. Randy Fine Proposes HB 141 During 2019 Legislative Session to Clean Up Indian River Lagoon". Space Coast Daily. December 29, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  3. "Florida House of Representatives - Randy Fine - 2016 - 2018 ( Speaker Corcoran )". Myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  4. Lemongello, Steven (April 16, 2019). "Jewish constituent targeted by state Rep. Randy Fine's 'Judenrat' comment calls for apology". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  5. "Managing Director: Randall A. Fine". The Fine Point Group. Retrieved January 19, 2019. He holds both his undergraduate degree magna cum laude, and his MBA degree, with high honors, from Harvard University.
  6. Frank, Stephen E. (October 14, 1994). "Scandal Before Service: Harvard's student leaders are a laughing stock". Harvard Crimson. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  7. Dave Berman (2015-01-16). "Gaming official from Brevard to seek House seat". Floridatoday.com. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  8. Smith, Nancy (March 17, 2018). "Rep. Randy Fine, Champion for the Indian River Lagoon". Sunshine State News. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  9. "House Bill 829 (2019) - The Florida Senate". www.flsenate.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  10. "Brevard County leaders have failed to address our poop problem | Opinon". Florida Today. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  11. Winikoff, Mike. "County seeks to extend biosolids ban". Hometown News Treasure Coast. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  12. "Melbourne officials defend city water as residents speak up at Rep. Fine meeting". Florida Today. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  13. "Sewage sludge central? Officials fear waste from other communities threatens water supplies". Florida Today. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  14. The Editorial Board (May 24, 2018). "Rep. Randy Fine's bullying of local leaders is bad for Brevard County: Our view". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  15. Nicol, Ryan. "Banning the beach? Locals start enforcing new access law". Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  16. "New beach access law is confusing and dangerous | Opinion". Florida Today. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  17. "BCPAO - Property Search". www.bcpao.us. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  18. "Rep. Fine wants Lorde's concerts in Miami, Tampa canceled". The Leaf Chronicle. February 8, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
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