Texas House passed a bill on Tuesday requiring professional sports teams to play the national anthem before the game starts, otherwise they might lose massive tax subsidies from the state and localities. Senate Bill 4 (pdf) was passed by the state Senate in April. It went to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office for approval after the House passed it by 110-34. “SB4, the Star-Spangled Banner Protection Act is headed to @GovAbbott’s desk!” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wrote on Twitter. “The Star-Spangled Banner will not be threatened in the Lone Star State. In a time when too many things divide us, sports are one thing that bring[s] us together,” Patrick continued. The bill was a response to the Dallas Mavericks’, an NBA team based in Dallas, Texas, decision in February not to play the Star-Spangled Banner before the game starts, breaking with an American tradition. The NBA later required the national …