Bobby Jindal was sworn in as Louisiana's 55th governor today, promising a "clean break with the past" that will include ethics reform and improvements in the state's economic climate that will attract more jobs.

Jindal, 36, took the oath of office at 12:08 p.m. on a clear, breezy day in Baton Rouge. He is the nation's first elected Indian-American governor.

In his inaugural address on the steps of the state capitol, Jindal said he would overhaul the state's ethics law and reduce business taxes. That will be necessary to attract new businesses, which in the past have more often chosen other southern states, and convince Louisiana natives to come home.

In national rankings, Louisiana has usually trailed other southern states in key economic and social indicators.

"You have often heard me say that we do not have a poor state, but a state with poor leadership," Jindal said.

"In our past, too many politicians looked out for themselves. Too many arms of state and local government did not get results. And the world took note. Those stereotypes cost us credibility. They cost us investment. They cost us jobs ... Let us all resolve that era ends today.

Jindal inherits record budget surpluses fueled in large part by high oil prices and tax revenues tied to hurricane reconstruction. But he also deals with billions of dollars in needed road repairs, low rankings in education and health care and an eroding coastline.

Jindal succeeded Democrat Kathleen Blanco, who chose not to run for a second term after Hurricane Katrina.

Thousands attended today's ceremonies, which included the swearing-in of Louisiana's other statewide elected officials: the incoming attorney general, James "Buddy" Caldwell, incoming agriculture commissioner Mike Strain, Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, Treasurer John Kennedy, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

Members of the state House and Senate were also sworn in today.

Jindal said he will call the Legislature into special session on Feb. 10 to deal with proposed changes in the state's ethics laws.

A 71-page report on Louisiana's ethics laws that's due to be released this week is "very beefy and very detailed," said Sean Reilly, who headed Jindal's transition advisory council on the subject.

Jindal is expected to use the report as the blueprint for the special session of the Legislature.

Reilly said the basic thrust of the report conforms to the changes that Jindal called for in his platform. He said one surprise in the report will be detailed recommendations dealing with the state judiciary, a subject Jindal didn't broach as a candidate.