A Senate panel has passed a measure aimed at paying for security officers in Florida's public schools.

The bill would let counties create independent districts to impose taxes to pay for school safety and mental health services.

Several members of the Senate Education Committee said it would create too much government.

But Senator Eleanor Sobel, a Hollywood Democrat, said the bill lets the voters decide.

"By not voting for this bill, you do not give the voters the option to decide on school safety for their kids", said Sobel. "Do they want to make it a priority? Are they willing to reach into their pocket?"

Interest in school safety has been high since the Newtown School massacre in December, but how to pay for major increases in security has been one of the big questions.

This bill seeks to tackle that. It faces three more Senate committees.