The SMART Initiative: What's at stake for the North Bay

August 27, 2025

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Dennis Rosatti of Rosatti Consulting will speak with Urban Chat’s Know Before You Grow forum series about the survival of the SMART train, the “community rail” system that has begun making fundamental changes in the North Bay including Petaluma.

Rosatti is a political consultant to a coalition of North Bay transportation experts, environmental leaders, employers, and civic leaders that is proposing the “SMART Initiative”, an initiative that would extend the incremental sales tax that supports SMART’s operational costs.  Without the extension, SMART might be forced to cease operations.

A voter-led initiative, such as that proposed by the coalition would have a lesser requirement for approval than a renewal initiative placed on the ballot by SMART.

Rosatti will talk about why the continuation of SMART matters to the North Bay and what Petalumans can do to help get the initiative on the June 2026 ballot. Hint: Walking your neighborhood with a petition to put the SMART Initiative on the ballot is the best thing you can do.

Dennis Rosatti | Political Consultant at Rosatti Consulting

Dennis Rosatti has extended experience as an executive director Sonoma County Conservation Action and as a political consultant at Rosatti Consulting.  He has a demonstrated history of working in the public relations, communications, and political arenas.

Dennis has skills in public affairs, political consulting, policy analysis, public policy, lobbying, government and community relations, and organizational development.  He has a strong desire to utilize and apply his talents to challenging situations and issue-based causes.