A committee of state lawmakers Thursday endorsed a tax credit for small businesses that spend money to advertise in Colorado news outlets.

House Bill 22-1121, introduced by Democratic Rep. Lisa Cutter of Littleton, is designed to boost revenue for print, online and broadcast news organizations.

“This is one way we can help local media, and in the process, help our communities grow stronger,” Cutter told members of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, which voted 8-3 for the bill.

Under the measure, businesses with fewer than 50 employees could take a credit against their annual income taxes of up to $2,500. To qualify, they must advertise in news organizations that primarily serve the needs of Colorado communities and employ at least one journalist who lives and works in the state.

During the hearing, committee members heard all sorts of statistics about the long-term decline in the number of news organizations in Colorado and the number of journalists working in the state. But they also learned about groups such as the Colorado Media Project, the Colorado News Collaborative and the Colorado News Conservancy that are working to strengthen the state’s local news landscape.