West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin will address the AASHTO Washington Briefing on Tuesday, March 2, describing the transportation outlook for the states in times of continuing budget dilemmas.

Joe Manchin, West Virginia's 34th governor, has been a strong proponent of transportation, including the implementation of design-build contracting to accelerate state projects. He met with President Barack Obama this week to discuss energy issues as Congress considers energy legislation which may affect the coal-producing state.

Manchin was a state legislator from 1982-1996, and served as secretary of state from 2000-2004.

AASHTO's 2010 Washington Briefing also includes seminars on performance management, communications, transportation and the economy, the legislative outlook in Congress for transportation authorization and funding, and freight. Attendees will be able to meet with their congressional delegations and participate in a reception on Capitol Hill honoring winners of the 2009 America's Transportation Awards competition.

The briefing takes place Feb. 28 to March 3 in Crystal City, VA, which is located 10 minutes from the nation's capital. Register now to take advantage of great advance rates: $475 for members and $550 for others. Registration, the meeting agenda, hotel reservation information, and other details are available at tinyurl.com/AASHTO-WB10.