365个英语简短小故事-343. New Law for Taco Trucks

Taco trucks cannot remain parked in the same location for more than an hour, according to a new Los Angeles city law. They cannot return to that location for three hours. In the past, they could not remain parked in the same location for more than two hours. Restaurant owners complain that the taco trucks are stealing their customers, “because taco truck food is faster and cheaper. Plus, they don’t have to pay taxes or get health inspections¹.”

Lawyer Phil Greenberg says the time limit is unenforceable. “The two-hour law was never enforced by the city, so what’s the point of changing it to one hour?” he asked. “The city has more important things to do than ticket these hard workers. What about all the potholes², the graffiti, the homeless, and the gangs? LA is almost $400 million in debt. The mayor has already said he’s going to lay off 767 city employees. There won’t be anyone left to enforce the new parking law. There are thousands of taco trucks in this city.”

The penalty for the first violation³ of the new law is $100; the second violation can result in a maximum $1,000 fine and six months in jail. One angry truck owner said, “This is a racist⁴ law. All of us taco truck owners are Latinos. Our trucks are an important part of the history and culture of Los Angeles. Thirty of us have already agreed to park our trucks in the same spot all day long. If a law is illegal, it is our duty as good citizens to ignore it.” City residents who want to support taco trucks can visit saveourtacotrucks.org.

 

1 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 potholes   

n.壶穴( pothole的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Potholes are also home to tiny desert animals. 洞穴也是弱小动物的家。 来自互联网
• If you're going to enjoy the good times, you've certainly got to deal with some potholes. 如果要享受甜美的胜利果实，当然要应付这些战绩不佳的指责压力。 来自互联网

3 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

4 racist   

n.种族主义者，种族主义分子

参考例句：

• a series of racist attacks 一连串的种族袭击行为
• His speech presented racist ideas under the guise of nationalism. 他的讲话以民族主义为幌子宣扬种族主义思想。