Joseph Fonger · Austin, Texas
FongerLabs
Texas severance tax · Energy revenue data · Technical tools
Former Texas Comptroller revenue economist. Current oil and gas severance tax consultant. Builder of data tools, fiscal explainers, software experiments, and precision CAD work.
FongerLabs is my public research and project space: Texas tax explainers, data methodology, industry, national, and state fiscal impact analysis, and technical models grounded in domain depth.
- 14 years: Texas Comptroller revenue estimation and fiscal analysis
- 77M+ records: production/tax return screening database
- In progress: statewide property-tax roll database
- Public work: methodology notes, white pages, samples, software, CAD models
Current Work
Projects
CAD · Surface Modeling
3D Design & Modeling
Precision surface modeling in Rhino 8 and mechanical assembly in Fusion 360, focused on aerodynamic and structural design. The work is functional, not decorative.
Software
Private BetaLifefactory
A gamified productivity tool. Factory mechanics reward completing real daily and long-term tasks with in-game resources. Built with a collaborator.
Public Data · Tax
Private BetaTax Data Screening
Private beta work on Texas tax-data screening, including production/tax return signals and a statewide property-tax roll database. The focus is personal public-data research and data insights.
Economics · Policy
In ProgressFiscal Impact Analysis
Previewing fiscal-note style analysis on notable legislation as it is introduced, tracking public assumptions and comparing the work with official notes using fiscal-note process knowledge and publicly available data.
CAD · Surface Modeling
RB19 Front Wing
Exploded assembly · Rhino 8
Experience
Background
Economics · Energy Policy
Texas Comptroller's Office
Fourteen years as a revenue economist at the Texas Comptroller's Office. Primary work included natural gas production taxes, natural resource revenues, lottery proceeds, and TCEQ/Texas Water Development revenues: the fiscal math behind state government.
Energy Tax · Compliance
Severance Tax Consultant
Current professional experience as a severance tax consultant, focused on compliance and tax mitigation through state tax incentives and exemptions.
CAD · Software Development
Independent Practice
Precision surface modeling in Rhino 8 and Fusion 360, mechanical assembly design, and software development. Building tools at the intersection of technical rigor and creative practice.