They run airports and regulate charity bingo. They borrow money to build schools and try to ban bikini waxes. They provide "soft landings" — complete with fat salaries and pensions — to allies of the politically powerful. And they spend billions of public dollars every year. Now New Jersey’s 700 boards, authorities and commissions are being dragged from obscurity into the crosshairs of Gov. Chris Christie, who has slashed their spending and ordered a broad review that could put some out of existence. It’s a mission as wide-ranging and complicated as the entities themselves, many of them unique kingdoms with...