"Challenges Arise for Billionaire-Backed Campaign to Build New California City"

A billionaire-backed plan to build an eco-friendly city in California is facing delays and criticism as it seeks to put its proposal before voters in November. The proposal, which envisions a community for up to 400,000 residents, has been amended twice to address concerns from local officials and a neighboring U.S. Air Force base. Critics argue that the campaign has operated in secrecy and lacks local input, while opponents question the sustainability and impact of building on rural land. The campaign, supported by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, faces a tight timeline to collect the necessary signatures for the ballot, with the outcome carrying national implications for development, farmland, and climate resilience.