COLUMBUS - A slots-for-scholarship constitutional amendment pending in the House faces a cloudy future and a Wednesday deadline for getting it before voters for the March 3 primary election.

The Senate-passed proposal would put video slot machines in Ohio's seven racetracks, with most of the proceeds going to fund a program to award four-year scholarships to Ohio public universities for the top 10 percent of the state's high school graduates.

However, House Speaker Larry Householder wants the money to go toward retiring a two-year sales tax increase that has angered conservatives.

Cincinnati native is Fletcher press aide

FRANKFORT - Gov.-elect Ernie Fletcher named a Cincinnati native and former Lexington television reporter as his press secretary Monday.

Jeannie P. Lausche, 28, will be handling press inquiries for the incoming administration, a Fletcher spokesman said.

Lausche worked as a reporter for WTVQ-TV in Lexington; WAKA-TV in Montgomery, Ala.; WHIZ-TV in Zanesville, Ohio; and WHIO-TV in Dayton, Ohio.

Lausche graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio State University in 1997. She lives in Lexington.