ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York Governor George Pataki is backing an Assembly bill (A11507) requiring a 5% tax on airport car rentals in New York City to help finance expansion of the Javits Convention Center.

The proposed $1.4 billion Javits Convention Center renovation is part of a larger redevelopment plan for the West Side of Manhattan. The bill, sponsored by the Assembly Rules Committee, also seeks to expand the authority of the New York Convention Center Development Corp. to complete the project.

Several Assembly Democrats have publicly criticized the bill, arguing that the plan doesn't allow for adequate public review or audit oversight by the state comptroller.