New Petitions Against Tax is a subheadline that appears in prop newspapers in many old films, often accompanied by "Building Code Under Fire," and at least twice by "Increase in Commuter Fares Denied." These headlines serve as boring filler, so as not to attract attention away from the screaming, plot-related main headline.

Still, the same phrases appearing again and again in different movies lend them a kind of mystique. They've appeared in many Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes, and are occasionally referenced by Joel, Mike, Tom and Crow.

New Petitions Against TaxEdit

Bride of the Monster
Episode 423

Beginning of the End
Episode 517
Tom says, "Oh, no... New petition against tax again?" Mike expresses shock.

Teen-Age Crime Wave
Episode 522

Revenge of the Creature
Episode 801

The Deadly Mantis
Episode 804
Mike gasps, "New petitions against tax!" Tom whispers, "My God!"

The She-Creature
Episode 808

I Was a Teenage Werewolf
Episode 809
Tom coos, "Oh, that poor building code..."

Killers From Space
The Film Crew

Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery

New Petitions Against Tax (non-MST3K) Edit

Plan 9 From Outer Space
Edward D. Wood Jr.'s Plan 9 From Outer Space also featured both "new petition against tax" and "building code under fire".

Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery

Building Code Under FireEdit

"Building Code Under Fire" often appears with "New Petitions Against Tax", but it's also made some solo appearances.

The Indestructible Man
Episode 409
Joel says, "Oh! Prime cuts go on sale at noon." Tom adds, "Building code under fire."

The Violent Years
Episode 610

Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery