On the latest episode of sound politics, the vast majority of Americans say that money in politics is a threat to democracy.

Seattle came up with a novel solution.

Give everyone money to donate to candidates.

Now, is that working?

We'll talk about it ahead of the August 5th primary when voters will decide if the democracy voucher program

should stick around. That's on the latest sound politics, wherever you get your podcasts.

Good afternoon from the KUOW Newsroom. This is Seattle now. I'm Paige Browning. Coming up, nearly 500 bills got voted on in the recent legislative session in Olympia.

Some of the highlights for you in a few minutes. But first, here's our roundup of today's top stories. It's Thursday, May 22nd.

Washington's Democratic Congress members are slamming the new budget bill passed by U.S. House Republicans today.

Representative Susan Del Beneh says it's a betrayal that will lead to millions of people losing their health coverage through Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.

This impacts every American because when people don't have coverage, hospitals cut services

or close entirely. ER wait times are going to swell, which will mean the difference between

life or death for some patients.

Democratic Representative Pramilla Gaiapal says this will slash food for the hungry and cut basic

services, but Republican Dan Newhouse of Central Washington was supporting it already earlier

in the week.

We've restored the integrity of the SNAP program by making states true partners in the program, returning it to what

Congress originally intended SNAP to be, and that is truly supplemental.

Newhouse said the bill will keep taxes low for middle-class citizens.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

In Environment News, it could get harder to buy an

electric vehicle in Washington state if recent moves in Congress take effect. Congress has voted to

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