As the Indiana General Assembly meets today to get ready for the 2008 session, the area's legislative delegation is expected to discuss options for funding the South Shore extension to Lowell and Valparaiso.

It is a difficult political environment for proposing a new tax that would raise $30 million a year in Lake and Porter counties. The property tax crisis must be resolved.

At the same time, however, getting the South Shore extension rolling is urgent. Among the many benefits, the South Shore project will provide highway congestion relief and will more fully connect Northwest Indiana residents to high-paying jobs in downtown Chicago.

The federal government is expected to pay half the cost of the $1 billion commuter rail project. The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority has about $150 million to kick in as well. That leaves $350 million to be raised from Northwest Indiana.

The region's legislative delegation planned to meet today to discuss a strategy for the South Shore extension.

Among the ideas for the local funding source are a $50 annual vehicle registration fee, a local income tax or a local gas tax.

The delegation needs to reach a consensus to get the backing of other lawmakers. Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he won't stand in the way of the South Shore extension if the region's lawmakers are solidly behind it.

Providing the funding for this project must be one of the top priorities for Northwest Indiana's legislative delegation this year. The South Shore project needs to go forward before the federal funds for new rail lines shrink and the local cost becomes even higher.