Immigration, cloud form as tech issues for economy

The tech industry’s policy goals aren’t getting aired at the kitchen tables of Americans who worry about gas prices, unemployment and the housing market. But Silicon Valley is hoping President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will embrace policies this campaign season that tech companies say will help innovation and ultimately improve the economy.

Executives and policy experts gathered here this week for the Tech Policy Summit said they want both candidates to back the industry’s top policy priorities — including visa reform for highly skilled workers, corporate tax reform and accelerating spectrum reallocation — with more than just lip service. “You’ll see the candidates get up there and pledge allegiance to innovation,” said David Tennenhouse, a partner at New Venture Partners. “This election is about jobs, jobs, jobs. We should think about, when we go ask for things, what plays into that agenda.” Tech industry leaders say job growth will come if firms are given more flexibility on a range of issues, such as transitioning to the cloud and hiring talented workers from other countries. High-skilled immigration reform is a priority for tech executives.