DENVER (KDVR) -- On Saturday, the Colorado House of Representatives passed six bills to address the state's budget shortfall.
The special session was called after a $1.2 billion loss of revenue from changes in tax laws in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which Democrats say the bills passed are a fix for what they call an unnecessary gap in the budget, while Republicans feel they weren't given enough room to debate.
"We passed a revenue package that closes corporate tax loopholes, which I think is the most responsible way to address the shortfall that we are experiencing," said Rep. Yara Zokaie.
Rep. Jarvis Caldwell tells FOX31 that the bills passed on Saturday hurt the average person.
"Every single bill we've seen here come through during the special session has increased taxes on small businesses and on taxpayers," said Caldwell.
Republicans also expressed frustration over the use of two House rules by Democrats, which Republicans said cut short their chances to speak on behalf of their constituents.
"They used procedural rules that limit debate to only one hour for each bill, and there's 65 of us so that's less than a minute per representative," Caldwell said.
Another rule cut a separate discussion period entirely and called the House straight to a vote.
Zokaie said to FOX31 that the decision was made after she and others felt Republicans were not taking the talks seriously.
"If they are not going to engage in a meaningful debate, then we are going to call the question and we are going to vote," Zokaie said.
Despite the disagreements between the parties, all six of the bills now head to the Senate for approval.