MAINE MORNING STAR • February 20, 2025
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree is asking the Trump administration to go even further to protect National Park Service workers — seasonal and otherwise — amid the federal hiring freeze. Last week, Pingree sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum asking him to immediately resume seasonal hiring for the National Park Service to prevent financial ramifications, including the potential for a $500 million shortfall if there aren’t workers there to collect entrance fees. While Pingree said on Wednesday she is relieved to hear the Department of the Interior will reinstate the seasonal hires who were subject to the original hiring freeze announced last month, she’s now calling to immediately lift the hiring freeze across all parks and all positions.