AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas State Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) introduced a bill (SB 1111) last week that would raise Dallas County car rental tax limits from 5% to 6% in order to help finance a new stadium for the Dallas Cowboys.

"We worked with the county and also with the Cowboys to look at making sure we can find them a home in Dallas County," West told the Dallas Star-Telegram newspaper.

Cowboys representatives met recently with Dallas County officials to discuss plans for a county sports authority that could issue bonds to pay for a new $500 million stadium. The proposed car rental and hotel taxes would pay off the bonds.

Representatives from the NFL team estimate that the proposed taxes could generate as much as $34 million annually. The taxes would need voter approval, however.

A number of county officials, including County Judge Margaret Keliher and Commissioner John Wiley Price, have already publicly expressed support for the Cowboys' plan.

The team's stadium facility proposal includes retail stores and a hotel.