Leaders to discuss extending Milwaukee-area commuter line.

By Larry Sandler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Dec. 22--Top local officials and business leaders will meet Wednesday to figure out how to extend Chicago's Metra commuter trains from Kenosha to Racine and Milwaukee -- and how to pay for the $152 million project.

Racine Mayor Gary Becker is floating the idea of imposing a 1-cent-a-gallon gas tax in the three counties along the line. But other ideas -- including state funding, a local sales tax, a regional transportation authority and privatization -- also could be on the table, said several of those involved in setting up today's meeting.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott …