The first in a series of community meetings on this year’s legislative session is scheduled to be held on the Big Island.

Rep. Cindy Evans and Sen. Malama Solomon, both Big Island Democrats, planned to meet with residents May 19 at the Waimea School Cafeteria.

Solomon said she’ll go beyond talking about the state’s budgetary problems and instead discuss initiatives to honor Native Hawaiians, reprioritize critical programs and ensure food self-sufficiency.

This year’s legislative session ended last week, with lawmaker raising taxes and cutting spending in an attempt to balance a projected $1.3 billion deficit over the next two years.