CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Election day is now past. We applaud the victors and appreciate those in defeat for their personal sacrifices and commitment to improving our society and our future. 

Elections have consequences. We now understand who won and who lost, but we need to understand the impact of Tuesday's election on West Virginia.

In terms of coal, no one can deny that the national victory by President Obama has surely done nothing to change the pressure being placed on the coal industry and coal miners by a growing regulatory regime, environmentalists set to destroy the industry, and an administration that believes fossil fuels are part of our past and not part of our future.

As a state, the continuation of the war against coal will surely be felt with declining state revenues, constricting county budgets, and in the growing ranks of the jobless miners. According to recently released estimates for 2012, Central Appalachian coal production is expected to decline from 175 million tons in 2012 to 77 million tons in 2020. With President Obama's victory, it is reasonable to anticipate that the assault will continue.

In addition to the re-election of the president, Tuesday's election brought big changes in West Virginia state and county governments. Republicans gained across the board, picking up 11 seats in the House of Delegates, three seats in the state Senate, a new attorney general, a member of the Supreme Court -- and countless other races were razor tight.

Republicans were not the only ones celebrating Tuesday. Despite big losses in the Legislature, Democrats in West Virginia could point to the national victory of Obama as well as the re-election of Sen. Manchin, Gov. Tomblin, and several members of the state's Board of Public Works.

So what does the result of Tuesday's election mean in West Virginia? What does it mean for you? With Republicans gaining effective control of the House of Delegates by holding 46 of the 100 seats, there is likelihood of several things.

First, radical left-wing Speaker Rick Thompson being ousted may be the first sign of a change coming from the Golden Dome. Thompson was the driver of radical legislation and undeniably strange things including a resolution and rally on the final day of the Legislature in 2010 in support of out-of-control public unions in Wisconsin while condemning its sitting governor. Despite important West Virginia legislation being left on the sidelines, Thompson found time to involve West Virginia in Wisconsin's affairs.

Second, the day of teacher pay raises without education reforms is past. Gov. Tomblin commissioned an education audit at taxpayer expense that recommended substantial education reforms. Today, the study is being "studied" while education reforms sit idle. Every session teacher's unions approach the Legislature for pay increases. Given the new legislative make-up, those raises, if any, will be tied to reform -- substantial reform.

 Third, the odds of major improvements in the business climate have greatly increased. Civil justice reform, overhauling our punishing tax code, and government reform are certain to be placed on the front-burner while increases in the government dependency programs will be more fairly debated and considered. And, declining revenues due to the decline of the coal industry will be solved with cuts to spending as opposed to tax increases.

 Fourth, West Virginians will quickly appreciate the election of Patrick Morrissey as attorney general. While our state has sat the sidelines as other states have carried the burden of challenging federal legislation that adversely impacts West Virginia, Morrissey will maintain the role of an attorney general as a strong consumer advocate while defending West Virginia jobs from an overreaching and growing federal bureaucracy.

 While I respect the office of the president and the decision of the American people in the re-election of President Obama, his re-election means the next four years could be especially difficult for the people of this great state. New leaders, new voices and a more balanced state government will bring positive change in West Virginia even if positive change at the federal level is delayed for another four years.

 Finally, I wish the president well but I strongly disagree with his view of the role of government and his administration's assault on West Virginia energy and jobs. In the interests of building a stronger nation, however, we must be prepared to extend our cooperation if President Obama is willing to reconsider and moderate his approach to coal and issues that affect this wonderful state. The nation's fate hangs in the balance. We cannot wait four more years to begin the process of solving our collective challenges.

Stuart is a former state Republican chairman.