What happens after Tuesday?

What happens after Tuesday?

The votes will have been cast and counted. The election winners will rejoice or sigh in relief.

And the numerous problems faced on the national, state and local levels will remain intact.

So here are five main questions to ask after Election Day is finished and the actual governance must move on:

1. Will control of Congress remain with the Democrats or be wrested away by Republicans?

The GOP seems poised to make gains in the House of Representatives and the Senate. But will they be enough to truly tip the balance?

Probably not. But the election could very well set in motion forces that will make things extremely difficult for President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats in 2012.

2. Will a change in governor mean that - finally - the budget process, which hamstrings California every year, can be fixed?

This annual budget dance hasn't been all Arnold Schwarzenegger's doing. For years, even decades, the inability of the governor and the Legislature to work together to meet the mandated budget deadline has thrown the state into chaos.

Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman pledge they'll bring this nonsense to a halt. But can they really? It seems like inertia is stronger than political will and willpower.

3. Can elected state representatives from other counties truly represent San Joaquin County residents?

For the past few elections, our county has been dissected into four state Assembly and two state Senate districts. In most cases, those elected were from parts of those districts outside San Joaquin County. That has led to regular questions from our editorial board to candidates about how well this county is represented in Sacramento. Are we helped because there are six elected officials, or is their effectiveness diluted?

In some cases, elected Assembly members either previously lived here or have established strong ties to the constituency.

But we've also talked to candidates who couldn't find the intersection of Pacific Avenue and March Lane with the best GPS device available. Moving forward, are elected officials going to have our backs in Sacto?

4. Once we get the "H" out of this fire department controversy, is Stockton headed toward bankruptcy or a legal battle?

Obviously, Measure H is the hot-button local issue in an election otherwise devoid of drama. If Vegas oddsmakers were handicapping this, I'd guess that "No" would be about a 3-2 favorite. I don't think the measure that would give the city more control over the fire department will pass.

The firefighters union has run a more visible and effective campaign. They've trumpeted the "public safety" aspects of Measure H and painted a dire picture if the measure passes. And, let's face it, they're going to pick up some of the "hero" vote.

The Yes on H folks, on the other hand, haven't had the big bucks to spend and basically are asking voters to trust them that the fire department is bankrupting the city.

It's going to be interesting because I don't believe Stockton officials are throwing out the "B" word - bankruptcy - as an idle threat. It very well could happen.

The firefighters are well-equipped on legal matters. Should "H" pass, a courtroom battle is all but inevitable. Meanwhile, there is the firefighters' contract that expires on June 30, 2011. Happy negotiating, both sides.

5. Will the Stockton Unified trustees become a more mature and effective governing group?

These election results, perhaps more than any, could help determine the immediate future for Stockton. We've had residency issues, "Dixie" and "lynching" comments, back-stabbing and in-fighting, utter failure in superintendent searches and ad nauseam public discourse about who is and who is not being "respected."

You're in this for the kids, right? Right?

Voters have a real opportunity to significantly upgrade the intelligence, diplomacy and professionalism of the Board of Trustees.

Clearly, some board members are talented and caring. Others are keeping the district - and the city - from moving forward.

Contact Mike Klocke at (209) 546-8250 or mklocke@recordnet.com. The Record senior editors' blog is available at recordnet.com/editorblog.