Calif Forever Jan Sramek
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gil mention commonwlth?
FAIL?
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gil bk
sri emerg ventures tyler cowan gmu
spenser macdonald ca forever crypto
a16 moritz
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gil bk hired gavin and kamala pol op; 2024 prop?
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8 26
BLUE LOGO
California Forever is an American real estate development corporation founded by Jan Sramek. Through its subsidiary Flannery Associates, California Forever anonymously purchased over 50,000 acres (20,000 ha) of farm land in southeastern Solano County, on the edge of the San Francisco Bay Area. In August 2023, Flannery Associates LLC began a campaign under the subsidiary of California Forever[1]^ to develop a new walkable city of up to 400,000 people on 17,500 acres (7,100 ha) of land between Rio Vista and Suisun City.[2]^ In September 2023, the group collected enough signatures for a ballot initiative to change the county's "orderly growth initiative"[3]^ and legalize the construction of the planned city. The group submitted a ballot proposal under the name "East Solano Plan" in February 2024.[4]^
On July 22, 2024, after several polls across the county,[5]^ the company withdrew its ballot initiative (after spending nearly $9 million on the ad campaign[6]) and announced an agreement with county officials to create an environmental impact report and development agreement.[7]^ It has been proposed to reintroduce the ballot initiative in 2026 after environmental reports have been published.[8]^
The project has faced criticism questioning the land acquisition tactics of Flannery Associates, the security behind the proposed water supply, and the environmental impacts of the project on surrounding land.
History
Czech-born entrepreneur Jan Sramek founded California Forever and its subsidiary Flannery Associates in 2017.[9][10]^ 97% of the company's funding comes from US investors, with the remaining 3% coming from British and Irish investors.[11]^
The development of the project was described as a five-year "stealth campaign" by The Real Deal.[12]^ During that time, the company purchased over 50,000 acres (20,000 ha) of land in Solano County, California for an estimated $900 million.[13]^ Although the company claimed that the project was kept secret to prevent speculation from driving up real estate prices,[14]^ the strategy drew widespread criticism for a lack of transparency. Flannery Associates, the company behind California Forever, filed a $510 million lawsuit in 2023 against a group of local landowners, accusing them of colluding to inflate land prices.[10]^ Some farmers who refused to sell their land described feeling “caught off guard” by the aggressive nature of the land purchases and were pressured by repeated offers.[15]^ Reports from KQED noted that several farmers had reached confidential settlements to avoid costly legal battles.[16]^
As of September 2023, the land is zoned for agricultural use only and is subject to slow-growth laws.[17]^ Due to these legal protections, the land can only be developed for urban use if a ballot initiative is passed by local voters. In August 2023, the company issued a mail-in poll to gauge support for the project among local residents.[18]^ In January 2024 the company released its proposed city plans and the ballot initiative coming to voters,[19]^ however the ballot measure was withdrawn in July 2024.[20]^
In March 2025, the company is reportedly exploring the development of a shipbuilding facility on 1,400 acres (570 ha) near Collinsville. The company says that the shipyard project would complement their city-building ambitions, emphasizing the region's maritime heritage and economic revitalization potential.[21]^ The proposal garnered support from the Bay Area Council, and local elected officials. A working group was created aimed at fostering shipbuilding and maritime opportunities in Solano County.[22]^
Indigenous history
Patwin people are part of the Wintun linguistic family, native to California's Central Valley. Archaeological evidence has dated continuous Indigenous occupation back to at least 2000 BCE.[23]^ These communities relied on the region's marshes, grasslands, and oak woodlands for fishing, hunting, and acorn gathering. This helped them form a complex social and trade network spanning throughout Northern California, including present-day Solano County. These areas include Patwin villages near the Suisun Marsh and Putah Creek, which are very close to the land parcels owned by the project's developers.[24]^ The Patwin and other tribes maintain cultural ties to this region despite the significant displacement they faced following Spanish and Mexican colonization in the 19th century.[23][24]^
California Forever has drawn criticism from Indigenous leaders for not consulting local tribes during its land acquisition process. During a public meeting in Vallejo, Marge Grow-Eppard, a member of the Miwok tribe, accused the developers of disregarding the heritage of the Native Americans and warned that construction would cement over Native American burial grounds without consent. The company responded by stating that it only recently started reaching out to regional groups and their environmental reviews would address these concerns.[25]^ This incident highlighted broader tensions between the project's backers and the Indigenous communities who see the development of this project as a continuation of historical patterns of land dispossession.
Investors
On August 25, 2023, The New York Times reported that the company's backers include the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, as well as several prominent Silicon Valley investors:[26]^
- Michael Moritz, former partner at Sequoia Capital.
- Laurene Powell Jobs, founder and chair of Emerson Collective; widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
- Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn.
- Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Andreesen Horowitz.
- Chris Dixon, general partner at Andreesen Horowitz.
- Patrick Collison, co-founder and CEO of Stripe.
- John Collison, co-founder and President of Stripe.
- Nat Friedman, former GitHub CEO and investor.
- Daniel Gross, partner at Y Combinator.
California Forever has stated that its investors are not involved in everyday operations.[9]^
Planned development
The site is located in Solano County, California, approximately 60 miles (97 km) northeast of San Francisco.[26]^ Its planned size would include a population of up to 400,000 residents over a land area about two thirds the size of San Francisco,[17]^ just north of Highway 12 between Travis Air Force Base and the City of Rio Vista.[27]^ The proposed city would include residential homes, a solar farm and public parks.[28]^ The original architectural designs for the city, released on the company's website, showed Mediterranean architecture and streetcar infrastructure.[12]^ However, some observers have questioned the design of the project, with The Real Deal noting that “the way tech luminaries have gone about this city’s roll-out has not been visionary” but “mystifyingly backward.” ^[29]
California YIMBY, a pro-development organization funded by silicon-valley tech ^[30], showed support for the project with a statement in June 2024, describing the project as being designed by “some of the brightest minds in California planning” and potentially offering “a more sustainable pattern of urban growth.” ^[31] However, critics argue that the project could further environmental issues and economic inequities by prioritizing development outside of existing cities, contributing to urban sprawl.
Public response
The Greenbelt Alliance, Sierra Club, and other groups have formed a coalition called Solano Together to oppose California Forever's project.[32]^ The project has faced opposition from "vast and varied" groups including farmers, climate advocates and the Solano County Republican Party.[33]^ Local organizations such as the Solano Land Trust and the mentioned coalition Solano Together have publicly opposed the project.[34]^ They state that farmland, biodiversity, and water quality are threatened by the development of California Forever. Additionally, these groups have accused the developers of misleading marketing while failing to address potential long-term environmental impacts.[35]^ Members of the local community are also worried that the project would primarily benefit the wealthy investors at their expense. 70% of Solano County voters believe that most kids in Solano County will not be able to afford to live in their current neighborhood when they grow up, with 15% unsure.[36]^ The results reflect widespread uncertainty from the residents of Solano County regarding concerns about Affordable housing in the region.
Additionally, the members of Solano County are displeased with the land acquisition tactics of the project. For example, rancher Chris Scheuring said, “I think they thought we’d just fold like a cheap suit,” when referring to the lawsuits filed against the landowners who refused to sell, calling the company's strategies an intimidation campaign against local farmers.[13]^ U.S. Representative John Garamendi also stated how “The community is very angry — by the secrecy, by the duplicity, by the attack on family farmers,” and “The atmosphere is very, very negative.”[35]^ These reactions reflect broader fears that the project would primarily benefit the wealthy investors while putting the livelihoods of residents and farm workers at risk.
Controversy
Travis Air Force Base and surrounding farmland in 2023. California Forever's acquisition of land adjacent to the air base prompted concerns over national security.
California Forever's secretive acquisition of land adjacent to Travis Air Force Base through its subsidiary Flannery Associates raised concerns over the security of the military installation. In July 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States Air Force's Foreign Investment Risk Review Office had been investigating Flannery Associates' land purchases for about eight months.[37]^ Additionally, US Representatives John Garamendi and Mike Thompson, who both represent parts of Solano County, asked the FBI and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to investigate Flannery Associates' land acquisitions.[38]^
The project has received widespread criticism from local residents and officials.[39][40]^ The urban design critic for The San Francisco Chronicle criticized the designs as lacking detail and being unrealistic,[41]^ and Jon Steinberg compared them to the futuristic city of The Jetsons.[29]^
In January 2025, the city of Suisun City announced that it was investigating expanding to lands to the east, effectively annexing much of California Forever.[42]^ Such a maneuver would side-step the need for a county-wide referendum on the issue.[43]^ In March 2025, the city of Rio Vista also started exploring an annexation of California Forever land.[44]^
Environmental and water concerns
California Forever released a water plan in 2024 that outlines a strategy using recycled, surface, and imported water sources. Company representatives have described their proposed plan as “sustainable” and “drought resilient.” However, water policy experts are worried that the plan could strain existing systems and divert water from local communities and agricultural sources.[45]^ Critics also wondered if the long-term demand of the development will be compatible with the infrastructure capacity and the water availability of California.[46]^
Critics of the planned development have noted the lack of a reliable water supply and presence of wind farms as a potential obstacle to urban development.[17]^ Catherine Moy, the mayor of Fairfield, California, stated that the lack of mass transit, inadequate highway access, and drought conditions in the area would make it difficult to support a city.[28]^ Its potential impact on neighboring communities in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta has also been cited as a potential drawback.[17]^ Environmental groups and experts have also raised concerns about the ecological impact of the proposed city. The Center for Biological Diversity claims that more than 100 rare and protected species, including the California tiger salamander and western pond turtle, would suffer from habitat destruction.[47]^
Additionally, water policy researchers at KQED question the “sustainable, drought-resilient” strategy that the California Forever project proposes. Their experts warn that the long-term demand of the project may strain existing water systems within Solano County, especially during drought conditions.[16]^ Environmental advocates and local residents have described this project as an issue of environmental justice. Concerns about pollution, water scarcity, and loss of farmland all disproportionately affect rural and lower-income communities.[45][47]^
Displacement and land use impacts
Flannery Associates has acquired over 60,000 acres of farmland in eastern Solano County, drawing criticism for its potential to displace existing agricultural workers and family farms in the region.[35]^ Some ranchers have described the land purchases as “so arrogant it’s amazing” and have said that cancelling long-standing grazing and foraging leases has made it harder to keep their operations viable.[48]^ Local organizations such as Solano Together have expressed concerns about the local farm workers arguing that converting large areas of farmland into new housing and commercial districts could displace farm workers, increase land costs, and weaken the agricultural system that local communities rely on.[32][35]^ Former West Sacramento mayor Christopher Cabaldon has warned that operating family farms may become significantly more difficult due to the development of California Forever.[48]^ He also accused Flannery Associates of canceling long-standing foraging leases.[48]^ Environmental justice advocates have also framed California Forever as part of a broader pattern where tech-backed real estate projects reshape rural land use and grant control of land to wealthy investors, promoting land dispossession, rural gentrification, and the degradation of long-standing agricultural communities.[49][35]^
References
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GGL 6 26
AI Overview
The "dark money" surrounding the California Forever project centers on secretive, billionaire-funded land purchases and campaign spending in Solano County. Spearheaded by CEO Jan Sramek and heavily backed by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, Laurene Powell Jobs, and Marc Andreessen, the development proposes a massive utopian city and industrial center. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The primary concerns regarding dark money and hidden influence include:
Secretive Land Grabs: From 2017 to 2023, Hoffman and other Silicon Valley elites used a corporate entity named Flannery Associates to quietly buy more than 50,000 acres of rural Solano County farmland. They spent roughly $900 million, initially causing national security and foreign-ownership fears because of the land's proximity to Travis Air Force Base. The group hid its identity to prevent land speculators from driving up prices. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Political Proxies: Critics and local politicians—such as Fairfield Mayor Catherine Moy—have accused the project's backers of utilizing "dark money" and PACs to secretly influence local Solano County elections and drown out grassroots opponents. [1]
Controversial Tactics: The developers have faced backlash over their aggressive tactics. For instance, Sramek filed a $510 million lawsuit against dozens of Solano County farmers, accusing them of a price-fixing conspiracy regarding land sales. [1]
Lobbying Power Brokers: The development firm has employed former strategists and power brokers tied to California Governor Gavin Newsom to lobby state lawmakers to fast-track the project and skip extensive environmental reviews. [1, 2]
The project has faced stiff opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about urban sprawl, water rights, and the strain on existing traffic infrastructure. After withdrawing an initial ballot initiative that would have bypassed county zoning laws, the group continues to pitch updated plans for a major shipbuilding hub and is working through standard county development review processes. [1,
, 3]
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mpu 6 26 mpu
Peter Thiel's Plan To Replace Democracy (And Profit Off What Comes Next)
milton grandson 
lonsdale
gil duran: 9
In 1997, there was a book that came out called “The Sovereign Individual.”
3:03
It argued that in the 21st century, two technologies would result basically in the overthrow of democracy
3:11
and the demise of nations like the United States.
3:14
Cyber currency, which we would call crypto today.
3:17
And the other one was advanced automation that would create a world without jobs,
3:21
and that wealthy individuals who were savvy investors could profit from this coming doom
3:27
and prepare for it by making the right investments.
3:30
This book had a major impact on Peter Thiel.
3:33
And of course, it influenced the people Thiel was paying.
3:37
Joe Lansdale got to work.
3:39
He started a nonprofit, California Common Sense , allegedly dedicated to transparency and government
3:44
spending, so that voters could make a difference if they found things they were unhappy with.
3:48
On the surface, that sounds great, but two founders of that nonprofit started a for-profit:
3:53
OpenGOV.
3:54
OpenGOV is a software service for government agencies to manage data.
3:57
The idea of replacing democratic processes in the hands of all of us
GHIS MAXWELL!
4:29
But the think tanks would herald a few successful versions of their privatization plan.
4:34
Like Sandy Springs, Georgia, famously the first city in America
4:38
to privatize nearly all government services.
4:41
It was the darling of the libertarian press.
4:43
Everything for-profit, nothing public.
4:46
And a consulting firm making a little cash off the taxpayers at every juncture.
4:49
Those extra taxes for corporate profit started adding up, though.
4:54
Eventually, Sandy Springs unprivatized
4:56
saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year.
4:59
There were also nascent communities focused on Christian values
5:03
that the network state media heralds.
5:05
Battle Ground, Washington,
5:06
where a data center billionaire is buying up all the property to own the town,
5:11
the mayor is on his payroll,
5:12
and Highland Rim, a series of developments in Appalachia
5:16
run by the investment firm New Founding.
5:18
And that's not even including the California Forever Project,
5:21
a proposed tech city in Solano County
5:24
funded by Marc Andreessen, Reid Hoffman, Sam Altman and other billionaires.
5:29
But what if this was never really about these little mini governments?
5:33
Here's Peter Thiel saying the quiet part out loud in 2010.
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[Thiel] Technology is this incredible alternative to politics.
...
7:13
You could pass laws, know, Cicero's in 15 states, we're getting dozens of laws passed.
7:17
And then we're going to teach people that and go to the national level.
7:20
[Gil] Riling people up is definitely part of their game plan.
7:22
That's what we saw in the San Francisco recalls.
7:24
San Francisco had a spike in crime during the pandemic,
7:28
but so did almost every big city in the United States.
7:30
Only in San Francisco,
7:32
which has extremely low crime rates compared to most cities in red states,
7:37
did they create this massive panic using social media and doom influencers
7:43
to convince everybody that everything was worse than it ever been.
7:47
And as Lonsdale got into nonprofits and think tanks,
7:49
Patri Friedman – remember him?
7:51
Milton Friedman's grandson?
7:53
Started his own VC firm with backing from Peter Thiel
7:56
called Pronomos Capital, existing entirely for investing in privatized governments.
8:01
In Honduras, Pronomos invested in the first government
8:04
run entirely by a for-profit corporation: Prospera.
8:08
[Gil] Prospera is this little enclave on the island of Roatan in Honduras
8:13
That claims to be its own little charter city
8:16
that was funded by American venture capitalists and has been touted
8:20
as the flagship project of the network state movement.
...
lonsdale
8:24
But the real flagship project is something bigger:
8:27
the entire United States government.
8:30
It shows in policy.
8:32
Remember the whole thing about taking over Greenland?
8:35
That idea emerged and was celebrated by the people we've been talking about.
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I think having a frontier is very healthy.
8:40
I think part of America being great is that it's is growing and creating more wealth for everyone.
8:44
If the people in Greenland want to be part of us, if we can use those resources
8:48
better and make sure Russia and China don't get advantages in the Arctic.
8:51
The Freedom City as a name didn't really gain momentum,
8:54
but the idea is there, and the influence in the administration is clear.
8:58
Joe Lansdale helped staff up the Trump administration
9:01
and just recently accompanied administration officials to the Philippines
9:04
to christen a new regulatory zone.
9:07
Just last week, we signed a historic deal with the Philippines, 4000 acres
9:11
right next to Subic Bay, where we're going to build a
9:14
first-of-its-kind, AI-native industrial park.
9:17
I was there for a day in the Philippines with everyone.
9:20
They’re, they’re excited, what you guys are doing.
9:22
That sounds a lot like a startup city....
9:37
that this stuff could travel to the White House.
9:42
[Gil] In September 2024, there was a conference at Fort Mason
9:46
in San Francisco called Reboot 2024,
9:49
and its website announced that we are now in a new reality.
9:53
And that Silicon Valley was waking up and about to become this powerful force in politics.
9:58
And the guest speaker was Kevin Roberts of the Heritage Foundation
10:02
who was the guy who had shepherded Project 2025.
10:05
So here you had tech VCs in San Francisco...
kishner
10:20
for maritime prosperity zones,
10:23
districts on American soil with fewer regulations
10:26
for corporations to build ships and reinvigorate the industrial base.
10:30
Then there's the New American Industrial Alliance,
10:33
a tech industry interest group pushing for unrestricted data center growth.
10:37
They were listed as co-sponsors of the Blueprint for America,
10:41
lobbying for prosperity zones on American soil.
10:44
A plan to sell federal and public land to private companies
10:48
to build low regulation, low tax havens for progress.
10:52
Their co-sponsor on the Blueprint was the company behind Prospera in Honduras,
10:56
whose lobbying disclosures show they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars
11:00
pushing for prosperity zones.
11:02
But they also spent big on begging the American government for handouts of your money.
11:08
They've lobbied on refunding the US International Development Financial Corporation,
11:12
a government organization run by Epstein associate Ben Black
11:15
that uses tax dollars to invest in American companies abroad.
11:20
That's privatized foreign aid.
11:22
And they might finally get their way.
11:24
Black went to Honduras and promised investment in real estate and technology there,
11:28
including an investment in La Ceiba, which is slated to be absorbed by Prospera.
11:34
But it's more than just government handouts.
11:37
It's war crimes.
11:38
So we did a master plan.
11:39
And we've developed ways to redevelop Gaza.
11:41
Gaza is President Trump's and saying has amazing potential.
11:44
And this is for the people of Gaza.
11:45
We've developed it into zones.
11:47
[Gil] It was sort of insane to see it all come together in this way.
...11:55
there's always the idea of a new city that they're proposing.
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And it's not clear why we need these new cities.
12:01
You know, Gaza should be rebuilt for for the Palestinians.
12:05
But these guys see it as an opportunity to take the land.
12:09
And so that shows you the degree to which this thinking is starting to imbue everything that they do.
12:15
[Sean] Look at how the people in this fringe movement
12:18
reacted to other invasions.
12:20
In 2019, Mark Lutter, leader of a Peter Thiel funded new city think tank, said that
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overthrowing the Venezuelan government would be an opportunity for these projects.
12:30
And when the invasion did happen, Lutter suggested America
12:33
establish a Florida or Texas style government there.
12:36
He cites America paying for a wholesale development plan after regime change.
12:41
Which is exactly what we're doing in Iran today,
12:44
to the tune of $300 billion.
12:47
Palmer Luckey, Lonsdale and Thiel associate, and founder of AI defense contractor Anduril,
12:52
pictured here in cosplay,
12:54
suggested a privatized city on Guantanamo Bay in Cuba,
12:57
which President Trump also threatened with invasion.
13:01
Again, nobody wants this.
13:02
They know that.
13:03
That's why they hate populism.
13:05
That's why they hate democratic representation
13:07
despite all of this being couched in freedom.
13:10
What they're asking for is to exit entirely from any government structure.
13:14
But that's just not how it works,
13:16
especially when most of these guys are government contractors, and are still wanting
13:20
to have the benefits of our society without having the responsibilities of our society.
13:26
These are people who don't like being told “no.”
13:28
They're angry at the pushback against data centers, that we don't want AI to take over everything,
gil
13:33
that no one supports annihilating a civilization to replace it with one they can profit from.
13:38
People need to understand that the billionaires have become radicalized against democracy,
13:42
and they're in the process of using everything they have to try to destroy it.
13:45
And that's the battle of our moment.
13:47
That's the battle of our time.
...
13:49
It's not too late to push back.
13:51
Public response to data centers works.
13:53
Many of the governance as a service startups are starting their work
13:56
in towns and states where you can still have a voice to stop them.
14:01
The billionaire class wants to turn your home into their playland,
14:05
completely change how everything is run to funnel more wealth to themselves,
14:09
create chaos,
14:11
and then when everything is all f*cked up,
14:13
walk away with their winnings to their own private enclaves,
14:16
all under the guise of fixing a broken government.
14:20
A government that they broke.
14:21
And yeah, sure, the government is broken,
14:24
but it's not because of democracy or lack of corporate privatization.
14:28
It's because of corporate power.
14:30
We need more democracy and less corporate control.
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8 26
ny post ca post
California Forever’s billionaire backers have drastically scaled back their grand plans for a new Bay Area metropolis, temporarily shelving their proposed megacity to focus an 11th-hour Sacramento push on fast-tracking a massive shipyard.
But the scaled-back plan suffered another setback Tuesday night when Solano County supervisors voted not to support the special legislation after a contentious five-hour meeting.
The narrower “Solano Maritime and Manufacturing Act” would accelerate approvals for a proposed 1,350-acre shipyard and maritime manufacturing hub in Solano County, while seeking no special treatment for the sprawling new city that has been the centerpiece of California Forever’s vision.
Special legislation to build a shipyard in Solano County near Collinsville has sparked a massive fight.
Special legislation to build a shipyard in Solano County near Collinsville has sparked a massive fight.
The vote dealt a political blow to the billionaire-backed developer, which has spent months hunting for a legislative lifeline in Sacramento while encountering fierce local resistance and skepticism from two Democratic lawmakers representing the area.
During the meeting Tuesday, supervisors heard a gauntlet of speakers slam or support the shipyard proposal as negotiations in Sacramento continue in the frantic final days of the legislative session.
Some public speakers sang songs, including a man who pulled stuffed animal weasels out of his vest. Others talked about the need for more jobs.
A speaker opposing the California Forever project pulls one of many stuffed animal weasels out of his vest.
A speaker opposing the California Forever project pulls one of many stuffed animal weasels out of his vest.
Jeff Deiss, a Vallejo resident, called the proposal a “sweetheart deal.”
“The only thing unique about this is the deep pockets of the people that are promoting it,” Deiss said.
Supporters countered that Solano County should seize an opportunity to attract thousands of manufacturing and construction jobs.
STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST NEWS BY SUBSCRIBING TO MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER
California Forever’s plans include manufacturing that is unrelated to the legislation on a shipyard. California Forever
California Forever’s plans include manufacturing that is unrelated to the legislation on a shipyard. California Forever
Selena Perez, a local veteran and Solano County resident, offered supervisors what she called some “Millennial wisdom.”
“Scared money don’t make money,” Perez said. “Let’s be bold for Solano County.”
An illustration shows a public space in California Forever’s proposed megacity. California Forever
An illustration shows a public space in California Forever’s proposed megacity. California Forever
The still-unauthored bill does not apply to California Forever’s separate proposed megacity or provide special approvals for its development.
The legislation would fast-track approvals for a shipyard and maritime manufacturing hub, including streamlined environmental review and permitting. It comes after the shipyard effort suffered a setback when defense startup Saronic chose Brownsville, Texas, over Solano County for its planned $3.2 billion Port Alpha complex.
Renderings by California Forever show a vibrant public space. California Forever
Renderings by California Forever show a vibrant public space. California Forever
State Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D) has sparred with California Forever officials while supporting a proposed shipyard. AP
State Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D) has sparred with California Forever officials while supporting a proposed shipyard. AP
Assemblymember Lori Wilson has been coy about whether she will support state legislation. AP
Assemblymember Lori Wilson has been coy about whether she will support state legislation. AP
Assemblywoman Lori Wilson and state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, two Democrats representing the area, are engaged in the negotiations, but neither has committed to carrying the legislation despite a Sacramento Bee report that cited sources saying they are on board.
Wilson’s office issued a statement Tuesday night indicating that she will not be advancing legislation on the shipyard.
Related video: Solano County delays proposed CA Forever shipyard plan as legislative session deadline approaches (KXTV-TV Sacramento)
View on Watch
View on Watch
KXTV-TV Sacramento
Solano County delays proposed CA Forever shipyard plan as legislative session deadline approaches
We start tonight with California forever.
0
“Solano County leaders have made clear they do not support the proposed Solano Maritime and Manufacturing Act at this time, and I will continue to let the county take the lead on shipbuilding and manufacturing opportunities,” Wilson said.
“Federal and private investments are being made in shipbuilding, and I want to ensure California has an opportunity to compete for those investments. I will strive to keep Solano County part of that conversation and pursue only what is most desirable and beneficial for Solano County residents.”
Cabaldon’s office said on Tuesday ahead of the county vote that the latest proposal is consistent with his support for shipbuilding because it has been stripped of California Forever’s controversial proposed city.
Cabaldon ripped California Forever officials after he was blamed for Saronic choosing Texas for its shipyard. Cabaldon for Senate
Cabaldon ripped California Forever officials after he was blamed for Saronic choosing Texas for its shipyard. Cabaldon for Senate
“The language for the bill is very narrow and does not include the proposed city,” Beth Rimbey, a spokesperson for Cabaldon’s office, told The Post in an email. “The senator has always supported shipbuilding and jobs.”
She added, “Who is going to front the bill is also still TBD.”
Tuesday’s vote could further complicate California Forever’s long-running push for a Sacramento breakthrough. Last year, Wilson and Cabaldon indicated they would not pursue an earlier shipyard bill without support from county elected officials.
Gov. Gavin Newsom quietly met with California Forever officials in April. Anadolu via Getty Images
Gov. Gavin Newsom quietly met with California Forever officials in April. Anadolu via Getty Images
The Post revealed in July that California Forever CEO Jan Sramek quietly met with Gov. Gavin Newsom on April 1 in the governor’s office. Following that meeting, Newsom’s economic development chief, Dee Dee Myers, urged state officials to support the proposed shipyard and manufacturing hub as opportunities of “statewide significance” and “national security.”
Meanwhile, California Forever enlisted former Democratic legislative leaders Darrell Steinberg and Bob Hertzberg as part of a six-figure lobbying push.
Jan Sramek, founder and chief executive officer of California Forever, has been working on the project for a decade. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Jan Sramek, founder and chief executive officer of California Forever, has been working on the project for a decade. Bloomberg via Getty Images
California Forever is backed by a who’s-who roster of Silicon Valley billionaires, including Marc Andreessen, Reid Hoffman, Michael Moritz and Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison.
Officials behind the project did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Earlier this month, The Post revealed that California Forever had been holding weekly meetings with Solano County officials over the proposed shipyard but had never submitted the preliminary application needed to begin the local approval process.
“There was nothing submitted, so this never happened,” Debbie Vaughn, Solano County’s assistant county administrator, told The Post.
“I don’t know how else to say it. There was never a project submitted.”
Renderings by California Forever show businesses and housing for a proposed city. California Forever
Renderings by California Forever show businesses and housing for a proposed city. California Forever
A rendering of the California Forever proposal shows a lush park filled with families enjoying the green space. California Forever
A rendering of the California Forever proposal shows a lush park filled with families enjoying the green space. California Forever
County officials said they had offered California Forever an expedited conventional approval process. The developer countered that the timeline and possibility of years of litigation under the California Environmental Quality Act made that option unappealing.
The newly drafted legislation would create a special approval process to allow qualifying shipyard and manufacturing projects to rely on Solano County’s 2008 environmental review, largely eliminating the need for additional review under CEQA.
While the Board of Supervisors has no power to pass or kill the state legislation, Tuesday’s vote formally denied California Forever the local support its legislative push had sought. The scaled-back proposal now faces an uphill climb with the legislative session set to end Aug. 31.
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duck 8 26
solano.californiaforever.com
https://solano.californiaforever.com › team › jan-sramek
Jan Sramek - California Forever
Jan Sramek is the Founder & CEO of California Forever, a company building the next great American city, and the first major new city built in America since 1960s. Between 2016 and 2023, Jan was the founder and sole employee of the company who raised over a billion dollars and acquired over 68,000 acres (~106 square miles) in Solano County, an hour north of Silicon Valley. Today, California ...
New York Post
California Forever suffers blow after Saronic Technologies backs out
Jul 19, 2026The clandestine buying spree stirred controversy before it was revealed that Jan Sramek, a Czech-born former Goldman Sachs trader, had spent years signing on investors and orchestrating the land ...
POLITICO
Meet the Czech Millennial Who's Building a Utopia in the California ...
Mar 21, 2025Armed with tech billions, Jan Sramek has dreams of creating a new, affordable, walkable city. If, that is, California lets him.
https://www.linkedin.com › in › jansramek
Jan Sramek - Founder & CEO, California Forever | LinkedIn
Founder & CEO, California Forever · Experience: California Forever · Education: The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) · Location: Fairfield · 500+ connections on ...
Vanity Fair
https://www.vanityfair.com › news › california-forever-billionaire-backed-city-silicon-valley
"California Forever," the Billionaire-Backed City No One Asked For
"California Forever," the Billionaire-Backed City No One Asked For Jan Sramek wants to "deliver a big solution" to the state's housing crisis by building a new town from scratch.
californiaforever.com
https://californiaforever.com › author › jansramek
Jan Sramek, Author at California Forever
March 28th, 2025 "We believe that when people look back in 2050, they will say that this was one of the most interesting and lasting and impactful partnerships between the government and military and Silicon Valley in the country." - Jan Sramek, Founder and CEO of California Forever at the Andreessen Horowitz American Dynamism Summit, January […]
widerblog.com
https://widerblog.com › jan-sramek-the-visionary-behind-california-forever
Jan Sramek: The Visionary Behind California Forever
Nov 23, 2024Who Is Jan Sramek? Jan Sramek is a Czech-born entrepreneur, best known as the Founder and CEO of California Forever, a real estate development company that aims to address some of California's most pressing challenges, such as housing shortages and sustainability. Born in 1987, Sramek displayed exceptional academic and professional potential early in life. His journey spans across continents ...
Yahoo
California Forever, aided by ex-Sacramento mayor, push Newsom ... - Yahoo
Jun 26, 2026California Forever CEO Jan Sramek gives a presentation during a town hall in Rio Vista in December 2023 to get public input on a proposed utopian residential development in Solano County.
Daily Mail
Billionaire Silicon Valley CEO behind California's 'utopian city ...
A billionaire behind a planned 'utopian city' in rural Northern California clashed with locals at a heated town hall this week. At the Tuesday meeting, former Goldman Sachs wunderkind Jan Sramek, 36, addressed a crowd of about 150 ranchers, before declaring his company, California Forever, would ...
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6 26
[### California Forever,” the Billionaire-Backed City No One ...
Vanity Fair
https://www.vanityfair.com › News › california](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/california-forever-billionaire-backed-city-silicon-valley?srsltid=AfmBOorYyJVXd00FCNcrK-QI9IFT8dSBD6UFi3yjuNNNsO5vLqHE84Th)
Apr 3, 2024 — And it goes without saying that California Forever—which would carve out $200 million to “revitalize” Solano's cities and add another that ...Read more
[### 'California Forever' CEO insists billionaire backers 'not at ...
New York Post
https://nypost.com › 2024/01/08 › business › california...](https://nypost.com/2024/01/08/business/california-forever-ceo-insists-billionaire-backers-not-at-all-worried/)
Jan 8, 2024 — The California Forever boss has also faced allegations of “strong-arm tactics” in reference to his firm's $510 million lawsuit against a group ...Read more
Missing: DARK | Show results with: DARK
[### A City Is Broke. Can Billionaires' Urbanist Dream Offer It ...
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com › Business › Economy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/business/economy/suisun-city-makes-an-offer-to-california-forever.html)
Nov 19, 2025 — Suisun City has tried to revive its fortunes for years. The latest idea: Annex land owned by California Forever, a tech-billionaire-funded plan ...Read more
[### At $15 Million, Reid Hoffman is Wisconsin Democrat Party's ...
Facebook · Wisconsin Right Now
100+ reactions · 4 months ago](https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinRightNow/posts/at-15-million-reid-hoffman-is-wisconsin-democrat-partys-top-donor-name-appears-2/1419711500167567/)
... Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, is a major top investor for California Forever. ... These are the dirty politicians that are using dark money ...Read more
[### Billionaires behind new Bay Area city hire CA power brokers
CalMatters
https://calmatters.org › california-forever-dealmakers](https://calmatters.org/newsletter/california-forever-dealmakers/)
5 days ago — California Forever hired influential Democratic leaders as it lobbies lawmakers to expedite environmental reviews for a new Bay Area city.
Missing: HOFFMAN DARK
[### Microsoft Board
SEC.gov
https://www.sec.gov › Archives › edgar › data](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000109690623002107/nlpc_px14a6g.htm)
Hoffman is leading fellow billionaires in a multimillion-dollar effort to pre-emptively attack any perceived viable third-party – like No Labels – or ...Read more
[### New details for California Forever development in Solano ...
KCRA
https://www.kcra.com › article › california-forever-dev...](https://www.kcra.com/article/california-forever-development-in-solano-county-voters-ballot-more-details/46423794)
Jan 17, 2024 — The plan calls for $400 million to help Solano County residents and air force base families buy homes in the proposed community, among other investments.Read more
Missing: DARK | Show results with: DARK
[### Plan for 55000-acre utopia dreamed by Silicon Valley ...
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com › technology › sep › silic...](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/02/silicon-valley-elites-utopian-city-california)
Sep 2, 2023 — On the website, California Forever argued that to build a “complete, sustainable community” it needed a large settlement of land, and said it ...Read more
[### 'California Forever': New details for possible Solano ...
KSBW
https://www.ksbw.com › article › california-forever-sol...](https://www.ksbw.com/article/california-forever-solano-county-city-flannery-project-land-grab/44977891)
Sep 1, 2023 — Silicon Valley billionaires behind a secretive $800 million land-buying spree in Northern California have finally released some details ...Read more
Missing: DARK MONEY