The Facebook Inc. chief executive is in the process of co-organizing a political advocacy group made up of top technology leaders that would push federal legislative reform on issues ranging from immigration to education. Mr. Zuckerberg is working on launching the group along with Joe Green, who was one of the CEO's Harvard University roommates.
The group, which so far doesn't have a name, is aiming to raise roughly $50 million and has already secured commitments in the tens of millions of dollars from Mr. Zuckerberg and more than a dozen other tech executives including LinkedIn Corp. founder Reid Hoffman. They plan to register as a 501(c)(4), a distinction reserved for social welfare groups that are not organized for profit.
Mr. Zuckerberg has told confidantes that the new group will initially be focused on comprehensive immigration reform and making the pathway to U.S. citizenship less complicated for all immigrants. The group also plans to focus on issues including education reform and funding for scientific research.
The new group has also enlisted several consultants well versed in Beltway politics. Rob Jesmer, the former executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is especially active on a day-to-day basis. Joe Lockhart, Facebook's former vice president of global communications and a former press secretary under president Bill Clinton's administration, and Jon Lerner, a Republican strategist are also involved.
Immigration has been a particularly popular issue among the digiterati, the elite of the computer industry and online communities. The word is a portmanteau, derived from "digital" and "literati". Tech executives are lobbying lawmakers to ease restrictions on visas to entrepreneurs and professionals. Many have endorsed the Startup Act 2.0 bill, which proposes creating a new visa for foreign-born entrepreneurs who manage to raise $100,000 and hire American workers.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!
Michael H. Drucker
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