As a lifelong Connecticut resident and a day-one employee of Mohegan Sun, I enjoy one of the casino jobs mentioned in the debate about putting a third casino in East Windsor to block competition from the MGM casino in Springfield.

I grew up here, went to school here and plan to raise my family here. Unlike the GE executives, countless other jobs or whole industries for that matter that have left the state, I have strong ties to Southeastern Connecticut. So do the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, which have joined together to develop the proposed East Windsor casino.

I was at the Capitol hearing last month in support of legislation that would allow the East Windsor project. The legislation under discussion is meant to accomplish the very important goal of preserving Connecticut jobs and saving much-needed state revenue. It's that simple. I was honored to be there on behalf of my friends and colleagues back at Mohegan Sun whose jobs are at risk.

Throughout the hearing, I was alarmed by the lackadaisical way that some of our elected representatives discussed the loss of 9,300 jobs if the East Windsor project is blocked. It was almost as if it has become routine for Connecticut to lose its jobs and industries.

It was easy to see why Connecticut is ranked among the worst states for economic growth by Forbes magazine. Maybe it's easy to sit back in judgment when you're not worried about your next paycheck, or putting food on the table, or putting your child through college. But for me, and my colleagues, it's personal.

I am a single dad with an 8-year-old son who I am raising. I must also provide and plan a future for him. There are a lot of tax-paying folks just like me who work in the gaming industry. We add to the fabric of the community, support the youth soccer team, dine out in local restaurants and shop in area small businesses. Some casino workers are young people working their way though college. We are not statistics. We are your neighbors who go to work every day to provide for our families.

As I listened to testimony, I was struck by the misconception that our jobs in the gaming industry are not good jobs, expendable perhaps. Well, I can assure you that could not be further from the truth.

I work in table games and work every day with terrific people who make a salary that is higher than the Connecticut median and enjoy a great benefits package. Not only do we have outstanding medical and dental coverage, but employees also enjoy bonuses, sick time, a 401(k) plan, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, hot meals, uniforms, company events, family trips and outings — all while we get to work in an exciting and fun environment. How many people can say that today?

The project in East Windsor, with our friends from Foxwoods, is an important step to keep our industry ahead of the curve, and more important, to protect our jobs.

Let's not forget that the East Windsor entertainment complex is only under consideration because a major competitor, MGM, has set up shop just across the border and is looking to take a big bite out of a strong economic asset. Given that fact alone, I don't understand why our state government isn't fighting to protect these jobs. Instead, it may add insult to injury by tying our hands behind our backs and not allowing us to stay competitive.

Maybe, if the state embraced its local industries and supported their efforts to be innovative and competitive, we'd all be in a better place. Massachusetts did its homework and is looking to capitalize on our ineffectiveness by seizing our jobs and our revenue streams. We cannot afford to let that happen.

So I hope legislators and their constituents will think of me and my family — and all the families like ours who rely on their casino jobs — and support the project in East Windsor. There are real life consequences for all of us for standing back and doing nothing while Massachusetts hammers away.

John Pearson of Waterford has worked at Mohegan Sun for more than 20 years.