> where cities get all the benefit at the expense of the larger region

A pair of thought experiments. The tri-state area is depopulated and turned into a nature reserve. Everywhere except for New York City. How does it do?

Now, New York City is leveled and turned into a nature preserve. How does this affect those states’ non-urban populations? (Hint: economic collapse. Budget cuts. Unemployment.)

Cities suck resources from outside. But by and large, they also distribute largesse to their proximities and subsidize life for everyone around them.

> led to a recent recall of the local council member. Why does the majority vote of a city of 800k people get to unilaterally dictate the transportation options for a region upwards of 7MM?

New York City has a population of 8.5mm [1]. That’s almost half of the metropolitan area’s population [2]. Include New York State and the non-voting population effect is a minority. Congestion charging isn’t a tyranny of the minority.

As for why, self determination.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_metropolitan_area