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Subcommittee moves LFC recommendation for Office of Military Base Planning; director pledges follow‑up on staffing and intergovernmental work
Summary
The Appropriations & Finance subcommittee heard from the new director of the Office of Military Base Planning and Support on an executive request that would raise contractual services spending; the committee moved the LFC recommendation and asked staff to return with options for adjustments.
The Appropriations & Finance subcommittee voted to move the Legislative Finance Committee’s recommendation for the Office of Military Base Planning and Support (OMBPS) after a presentation from the agency’s new director and LFC staff.
Megan Cornett, director of the Office of Military Base Planning and Support, told members she is new to the state position after retiring from the Air Force and said she will provide more complete budget and governance details to the committee. Cornett said the office’s mission has evolved from tracking federal base realignment and closure (BRAC) to broader work supporting base resiliency and quality‑of‑life initiatives that affect recruitment and retention of missions. “You have my commitment upfront that anything I can't answer for you today, I will take back [and] provide you a timely and thorough response,” Cornett said.
Why it matters: The office supports New Mexico’s military installations and coordinates state efforts on encroachment, infrastructure, workforce, and quality‑of‑life issues that the Department of Defense considers when evaluating bases. Cornett said the executive recommendation would increase contractual services substantially (the executive recommended a roughly 284% increase in contractual services, according to LFC staff) to fund intergovernmental agreements and engagement with defense communities; the LFC recommended a flat FY26 budget.
Cornett and analysts pointed to opportunities in workforce compacts and other legislative priorities, and referenced House Bills 158 and 159, which aim to address professional interstate compacts that can affect military families’ ability to work. Cornett said the office needs time to align statutory authorities, develop project evaluation and reporting processes and synchronize state, local and federal stakeholders before executing larger contractual commitments.
Action: The committee moved the LFC recommendation for the office’s FY26 budget and asked LFC and HAFC staff to work with the director to bring back budget adjustments or options. The motion was seconded and approved; no roll‑call tally was provided on the transcript.
Committee members signaled interest in further review; Cornett said she would return with a strategy and specifics on how additional funding would be spent and governed.
