The San Francisco Bay Guardian reports this week on the effects of
“contracting out” what had been government services.  The big loss
is that journalists — and, hence, the public — have lost access to its data and the power of
oversight.  

See S.F.
spends billions on nonprofit contracts without adequate oversight. It's a recipe
for disaster.
By Matthew Hirsch
Most public officials
don't know how to efficiently manage a government that does most of its work through
third parties.
http://www.sfbg.com/39/23/cover_foi_nonprofits.html