Government Digest

Planner runs for commission
MANATEE COUNTY — Norm Luppino, 50, a former county planner with 23 years experience in the county planning department, has announced his candidacy for the District 4 seat currently held by Ron Getman. Getman has announced he is not seeking reelection. Luppino will face fellow Republican Robin DiSabatino, a Realtor, in next year's Aug. 24 primary. The only announced Democrat is Roger Galle.

High speed rail application filed
TALLAHASSEE — The state's official application for $2.53 billion of federal funding for high speed rail from Tampa to Orlando to Miami has been sent to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Joseph Szabo, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.

The first link, estimated to cost $2.5 billion, would run from Tampa to Orlando. Disney World has committed 50 acres for a station. The federal government has set aside $8 billion for high speed rail projects. A California high speed rail project has been estimated to cost $50 billion and a Midwest corridor is also considered a top candidate for the funding. Project awards are expected to be announced in December.