Front Porch program gains $225,000 in aid

ST. PETERSBURG -- St. Petersburg's Front Porch Florida will get $225,000 over the next two years as part of a nearly $4-million statewide literacy grant for adults.

Gov. Jeb Bush joined St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker to announce the grants Tuesday at Campbell Park Elementary School.

"You may know that I think reading is, like, the No. 1 thing in the world," Bush said. "We want to make it as easy as possible for moms and dads to be readers."

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Education, and it is designed to accomplish both community development and educational goals. For instance, the grant money could help neighborhood residents who don't have high school diplomas get a General Educational Development certificate, which could help them get a better job and assist their children with school.

Grants of equal amounts will be given out over two years to Florida's 16 Front Porch communities.

Baker said that for years he and Bush have talked in general terms about such redevelopment and educational goals. The mayor said he and the governor used to discuss "these issues sitting on the kitchen floor."

Standing behind the mayor, Bush interjected with a laugh: "It was the kitchen table, let the record show. We weren't on the kitchen floor."

"No, it was the kitchen floor," Baker said. "We couldn't afford a table back then."

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