Page 15 - ATR 4 2021 digital

licensing agreement. And, at Walmart’s
recent Open Call, the retailer also told
900 entrepreneurs pitching products
they too were accepted to the market-
place as sellers.
RELIEF ON HORIZON FOR
VEHICLE MAKERS
White House officials say relief for
the global semiconductor supply short-
age is coming as manufacturers have
made commitments to increase produc-
tion of automotive-grade chips.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina
Raimondo brokered meetings between
semiconductor manufacturers, their
suppliers and their customers includ-
ing automakers to help ease mistrust
between the sides related to the chip-
makers’ production and allocation and
automakers’ orders. The resulting trans-
parency about the manufacturers’ pro-
duction and shipments and a gradual
increase in supply for automakers has
helped ease tensions and garner opti-
mism, she said.
Manufacturing of semiconductors
is concentrated with a pair of Asian
companies, Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Co. and Samsung
Electronics Co. Ltd. TSMC announced
they will ramp up production of micro-
controllers by close to 60% this year,
the impact of which should be felt by its
automobile clients starting this quarter.

ARKANSAS GUBERNATORIAL
HOPEFUL SUGGESTS END OF
INCOME TAX
Arkansas Attorney General
Leslie Rutledge, who is seeking the
Republican nomination for governor
in 2022, said she will pursue a propo-
sition to end the state’s individual
income tax on next year’s ballot. The
proposed constitutional amendment
would eliminate the tax by 2030.
Rutledge said she would form a
separate campaign to gather the 89,151 shadowed by former White House Press Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson,
signatures needed from registered vot- Secretary Sarah Sanders’ candidacy. barred by term limits from seeking
ers to get the proposal on next year’s Sanders has raised more than $9 mil- reelection, has said he’ll call a special
ballot. lion while Rutledge has raised $1.4 session this fall to take up income tax
Rutledge launched her bid for million total. Four Democrats are also cuts.
governor last year but has been over- running for governor. 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 4 2021 15